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Flavobacterium gliding motility and the type IX secretion system.
Mark J McBride1, Daisuke Nakane2
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, PO Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201, United States.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|October 14, 2015
Summary
Flavobacterium johnsoniae uses a unique gliding motility machine, not flagella or pili, for rapid surface movement. Key adhesins SprB and RemA, delivered by the type IX secretion system, drive cell translocation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cellular Biology
- Bacterial Motility
Background:
- Flavobacterium johnsoniae exhibits rapid gliding motility, a unique form of bacterial movement.
- This motility is powered by a novel machine, distinct from flagella or pili, prevalent in Bacteroidetes.
- The adhesins SprB and RemA are crucial for surface interaction and cell translocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of gliding motility in Flavobacterium johnsoniae.
- To investigate the roles of SprB and RemA adhesins in cell translocation.
- To understand the contribution of the type IX secretion system (T9SS) to motility.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of protein function in gliding motility.
- Investigating the secretion pathway of motility adhesins.
- Exploring the connection between the type IX secretion system and cell movement.
Main Results:
- SprB and RemA are essential motility adhesins propelled by the gliding motor.
- These adhesins mediate cell translocation upon surface interaction.
- The type IX secretion system (T9SS) delivers SprB and RemA to the cell surface.
- Transmembrane T9SS components may be involved in both secretion and motility.
Conclusions:
- Gliding motility in F. johnsoniae relies on adhesins SprB and RemA.
- The type IX secretion system is critical for delivering these adhesins and potentially aids in motility.
- Further research into T9SS transmembrane components could reveal novel insights into bacterial locomotion.
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