Thylakoid centers: Structures associated with the cyanobacterial photosynthetic membrane system

An ultrastructural study of four cyanobacteria (Anabaena cylindrica, Dermocarpa violaceae, Gleocapsa alpicola, Pleurocapsa minor) indicates the presence of previously undescribed thylakoid centers from which photosynthetic membranes (thylakoids) radiate. These peripherally located thylakoid centers are cylinders 30 nm wide by 320 nm long, consisting of globular subunits oriented in nonparallel stacked arrays. Thylakoids are attached to the outer surface of the cylinder along its longitudinal axis. Thylakoid centers appear to be functionally significant due to their structure, location and thylakoid association.