The Synthesis of Cellulose Microfibrils by Particulate Fractions Released from Acetobacter xylinum by Washing

Washing A. xylinum whole cells in 0.01 m phosphate-0.003 m citrate,pH 6.2, leads to the release of particulate fractions whichretain the ability to synthesize cellulose microfibrils fromglucose and from UDPG. These fractions contain both outer andcytoplasmic membrane fragments. Frccze-etching shows the microfibrilsto arise from outer membrane vesicles. A scheme to describethe synthesis of cellulose microfibrils by A. xylinum is proposed.