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Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus
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High concentrations of intracellular Ap4A and/or Ap5A in developing Myxococcus xanthus cells inhibit sporulation

Yoshio Kimura1, Chihiro Tanaka1, Katsuho Sasaki1

  • 1Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kagawa 761-0795, Japan.

Microbiology (Reading, England)
|December 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA) signaling in Myxococcus xanthus is linked to stress responses. High levels of Ap4A and Ap5A in apaH mutants delay and reduce spore formation, suggesting ApnA hydrolase activity regulates development.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Diadenosine polyphosphates (ApnA) are signaling molecules in prokaryotes, influencing stress responses and biofilm formation.
  • The specific function of ApnA in Myxococcus xanthus development and stress adaptation remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ApnA in Myxococcus xanthus, particularly its involvement in stress responses and development.
  • To characterize the ApnA hydrolase (apaH) mutant and its impact on intracellular ApnA levels and sporulation.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of wild-type and apaH mutant strains of M. xanthus under various stress conditions.
  • Quantification of intracellular diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) and pentaphosphate (Ap5A) levels during development.
  • Measurement of ApnA hydrolase activity and assessment of spore formation efficiency and timing.

Main Results:

  • Intracellular Ap4A and Ap5A levels significantly increased in both wild-type and apaH mutant cells during early development.
  • The apaH mutant exhibited markedly higher intracellular Ap4A (5-fold) and Ap5A (11-fold) levels compared to wild-type at 16 hours.
  • ApnA hydrolase activity increased in wild-type during early development, correlating with decreasing ApnA levels.
  • The apaH mutant showed delayed sporulation (1-2 days) and reduced viable spore yield (5.5% of wild-type).

Conclusions:

  • High intracellular concentrations of Ap4A and/or Ap5A may inhibit the early stages of M. xanthus sporulation.
  • ApnA hydrolase activity is crucial for reducing intracellular Ap4A and Ap5A accumulation, thereby facilitating normal M. xanthus development.
  • This study elucidates a novel regulatory mechanism involving ApnA in bacterial development and stress response.

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