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Myxococcus-from single-cell polarity to complex multicellular patterns.

¹Department of Biochemistry, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA. adkaiser@stanford.edu

Annual Review of Genetics

|July 9, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Myxococcus xanthus cells use two polar engines for swarming motility. A reversal switch involving FrzE and MglA controls engine inactivation and reorientation for directional changes.

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Area of Science:

Microbiology
Cell Biology
Bacterial Motility

Background:

Myxococcus xanthus exhibits complex multicellular swarming behavior.
Cells possess two polar gliding engines: type IV pili (pulling) and slime secretory nozzles (pushing).
Slime secretion is essential for cell survival during swarming.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the mechanism of directional reversal in Myxococcus xanthus swarming.
To understand the role of the peptidoglycan/cytoskeleton in engine orientation.
To identify the molecular components involved in initiating and executing cell reversal.

Main Methods:

Observational studies of Myxococcus xanthus swarming patterns.
Analysis of cell structure, including peptidoglycan and cytoskeleton.
Investigation of molecular signaling pathways regulating gliding motility and reversal.

Main Results:

The peptidoglycan/cytoskeleton acts as a template for orienting both polar engines.
Cell reversal involves inactivation of existing engines and creation of new ones at opposite poles.
A reversal switch, involving FrzE and MglA (regulated by GTP binding), initiates reversal by inactivating active engines.
New engines are assembled according to the template, enabling movement in the opposite direction.

Conclusions:

Cellular reversal in Myxococcus xanthus is a tightly regulated process crucial for swarming.
The coordinated action of gliding engines, guided by the cytoskeleton and molecular switches, allows for dynamic multicellular pattern formation.
Understanding this mechanism provides insights into bacterial motility and multicellular coordination.