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Related Concept Videos

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria01:18

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

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Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...
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Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

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Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a...
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Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate....
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Chemotaxis in E. coli01:27

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Chemotaxis in Escherichia coli is a sensory-driven motility mechanism that enables bacteria to navigate chemical gradients, moving toward beneficial environments while avoiding harmful conditions. This process relies on a signal transduction system integrating external chemical cues with flagellar motor control.Chemoreceptors and Signal DetectionE. coli detects chemical gradients through methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), which are membrane-bound chemoreceptors that sense attractants...
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Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

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The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
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Fimbriae and pili are specialized bacterial surface structures that play pivotal roles in adhesion, genetic exchange, and motility. Composed primarily of pilin protein, these hairlike appendages are crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity in various environments.Fimbriae: Adhesion and PathogenicityFimbriae are fine, filamentous structures measuring 2–10 nanometers in diameter and are densely distributed on the bacterial cell surface. They facilitate bacterial adhesion to abiotic...
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Visualizing Bacterial Motility Based on a Color Reaction
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Bacterial Gliding Motility: Rolling Out a Consensus Model.

Beiyan Nan1

  • 1Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|February 22, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Bacteria glide mysteriously without external appendages, using novel inner membrane motors. These motors may transduce force to the cell surface, explaining bacterial surface motility.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Certain bacteria exhibit surface motility through a poorly understood gliding mechanism.
  • This motility occurs independently of flagella, pili, or other external structures.
  • Recent research points to inner membrane protein complexes as potential components of the gliding machinery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which bacteria achieve flagella- and pili-independent gliding motility.
  • To investigate the role of inner membrane protein complexes in force transduction for surface movement.
  • To provide a molecular explanation for bacterial gliding.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of bacterial cell surface interactions.
  • Investigating the function of inner membrane protein complexes.

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  • Studying force generation and transduction pathways in gliding bacteria.

    • Main Results:

    • Evidence suggests that specialized gliding motors are located in the inner membrane.
    • These motors appear to connect to the cell surface to enable movement.
    • The mechanism involves force transduction from the inner membrane to the exterior.

    Conclusions:

    • The study provides insights into the molecular basis of bacterial gliding motility.
    • Inner membrane gliding motors are proposed as the key machinery for this unique form of locomotion.
    • Understanding this mechanism could have implications for microbial pathogenesis and biotechnology.