Conservation of cell shape and mycolic acids by formaldehyde-fixation.

<p>(A) Incubation of formaldehyde-fixed MACB on TSB medium. Formaldehyde-fixed MACB from 2 ml culture were inoculated on TSB agar medium and incubated at 30°C for 5 days. (B) SEM images of formaldehyde-fixed MACB. (C) TLC analysis of total fatty acid methylesters extracted from live or formaldehyde-fixed MACB. (D) MALDI mass spectra of mycolic acid methylesters from formaldehyde-fixed cells and non-fixed cells. Numbers on arrows represent (0) A-1 MA, (1) A-2 MA, (2) A-3 MA, (3) A-4 MA, (4) A-5 MA, and (5) A-6 MA (MA: mycolic acid). Definition of subtype (A-1 to A-6) are described in supporting information <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0142372#pone.0142372.s002" target="_blank">S1 Table</a>. Abbreviations; Tp: <i>Tsukamurella pulmonis</i> TP-B0596, Ro: <i>Rhodococcus opacus</i> B4, Re: <i>Rhodococcus erythropolis</i> PR4, Cg: <i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i> ATCC13869.