The structure of ‘epixenosome’ verrucomicrobia symbionts of the ciliate Euplotidium, members of subdivision 4 of verrucomicrobia, is complex and there has been no suggestion of compartmentalization by internal membranes. However, these cells have so far only been examined by chemical fixation [31]. The structure of the cells of these organisms should be re-examined via

cryo-fixation based techniques to determine their consistency with the selleck inhibitor model proposed here for the verrucomicrobial cell plan, since it is possible that the complex structures found may be accompanied by internal membranes when methods more suitable for their preservation are used. Proteasome inhibitor Conclusion A unique cell plan so far found only within the phylum Planctomycetes of the Domain Bacteria, and which challenges our concept of the prokaryote cell plan, has now been found in a second bacterial phylum – phylum Verrucomicrobia. The planctomycete cell plan thus occurs in at least two distinct phyla of the Bacteria, phyla which have been suggested from other evidence to be related

phylogenetically as members of the proposed PVC superphylum. This planctomycete cell plan is present in at least 3 of the 6 subdivisions of the Verrucomicrobia, suggesting that the common ancestor of the verrucomicrobial phylum was also compartmentalized and possessed such a plan. The presence of this compartmentalized PLX4032 supplier cell plan in both phylum Planctomycetes and phylum Verrucomicrobia suggests that the last common ancestor of these phyla was Sitaxentan also compartmentalized. Cell compartmentalization

of this type may thus have significant meaning phylogenetically, and can act as a clue to the meaning of deeper evolutionary relationships between bacterial phyla. Its occurrence in a second phylum of domain Bacteria extends and reinforces the challenge to the concept of prokaryotic organization already posed by planctomycete cell organization. Definitions of the prokaryote depending on absence of membrane-bounded organelles may require further reexamination, a process already underway [41–43]. Such compartmentalized cell plans may have phylogenetic and evolutionary significance of relevance to such problems as the origin of cell compartmentalization in eukaryotes and the origin of the eukaryotic nucleus. In summary, the cell plan shared by all members of the phylum Planctomycetes so far examined appears also to be shared by several members of the phylum Verrucomicrobia, suggesting that such a plan may be common to these distinct bacterial phyla, and that the common ancestor of these relatively closely related phyla may have also possessed this plan. Methods Bacteria and culture conditions Verrucomicrobium spinosum was grown on MMB medium [44] and incubated aerobically at 28°C. Prosthecobacter dejongeii and Chthoniobacter flavus were grown on DM agar medium [45] both incubated aerobically at 28°C. Strain Ellin514 was grown in VL55 broth medium and incubated aerobically at 28°C [46].