Ultrastructure and complex polar architecture of the human pathogen Campylobacter jejuni

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most successful food-borne human pathogens. Here we use electron cryotomography to explore the ultrastructure of C. jejuni cells in logarithmically growing cultures. This provides the first look at this pathogen in a near-native state at macromolecular resolution (~5 nm). We find a surprisingly complex polar architecture that includes ribosome exclusion zones, polyphosphate storage granules, extensive collar-shaped chemoreceptor arrays, and elaborate flagellar motors.

Keywords: Acidocalcisomes; Campylobacterales; chemoreceptors; cryo-EM; cryoelectron tomography; food poisoning; polyphosphate storage granules.