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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
12.6K
Myxobacteria produce outer membrane-enclosed tubes in unstructured environments
Xueming Wei1, Christopher N Vassallo, Darshankumar T Pathak
1Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, USA.
Journal of Bacteriology
|January 7, 2014
Summary
Myxococcus xanthus bacteria produce outer membrane tubes (OMTs) in liquid media. These structures, while resembling conduits, do not facilitate outer membrane exchange in myxobacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Bacterial Physiology
Background:
- Myxobacteria are known for complex social behaviors and multicellularity.
- Outer membrane (OM) exchange is a known mechanism in Myxococcus xanthus, mediated by TraAB.
- The function of secreted outer membrane structures in bacteria is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production and characteristics of outer membrane tubes (OMTs) in Myxococcus xanthus.
- To determine the role of OMTs in outer membrane protein and lipid exchange.
- To correlate OMT production with environmental and genetic factors.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescent reporters to visualize OMT production in Myxococcus xanthus.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphological analysis of OMTs.
- Video epifluorescence microscopy to observe OMT dynamics.
- Analysis of OMT production in wild-type, traA, and traB mutant strains under different growth conditions.
Main Results:
- Myxococcus xanthus produces long, narrow outer membrane tubes (OMTs) in liquid media.
- OMT morphology varies, appearing as tubes or chain-like structures, with dynamic twisting and jiggling observed.
- OMT production is high in liquid media and in traA/traB mutants, conditions where OM exchange does not occur.
- OMT production levels and OM exchange capability are incongruent under tested genetic and environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Outer membrane tubes (OMTs) are abundantly produced by Myxococcus xanthus in liquid culture.
- Despite their appearance, OMTs do not function as conduits for outer membrane exchange in myxobacteria.
- The conditions favoring OMT production are distinct from those enabling outer membrane exchange.
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