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Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus
Published on: June 20, 2018
A multi-protein complex from Myxococcus xanthus required for bacterial gliding motility
Beiyan Nan1, Emilia M F Mauriello, Im-Hong Sun
1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3204, USA.
Molecular Microbiology
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Myxococcus xanthus A-motility involves a newly identified protein complex. This complex, including AgmU and AglZ, spans cell compartments and is crucial for movement on firm surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Myxococcus xanthus exhibits two motility systems: Type IV pili (S-motility) and A-motility.
- The mechanism of A-motility is not fully understood despite numerous identified genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify multi-protein complexes involved in Myxococcus xanthus A-motility.
- To characterize the role and interactions of the AgmU protein within the A-motility system.
Main Methods:
- Biochemistry and cell biology analyses were employed.
- Glutathione-S-transferase affinity chromatography was used to identify protein interactions.
- Fluorescent protein tagging (AgmU-mCherry) and microscopy were used for localization studies.
Main Results:
- AgmU localized to both periplasm and cytoplasm, forming clusters with AglZ on firm surfaces.
- Cluster formation correlated with A-motility favoring conditions (hard surfaces).
- AgmU interacts with multiple A-motility proteins, suggesting a cohesive motility complex.
Conclusions:
- A multi-protein complex, including AgmU and AglZ, spans cellular compartments in Myxococcus xanthus.
- This complex is essential for A-motility, particularly on firm substrates.
- Further investigation of this complex is key to elucidating the A-motility mechanism.
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