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Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
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Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

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Implications of coordinated cell-body rotations for Leptospira motility

Kyosuke Takabe1, Akihiro Kawamoto2, Hajime Tahara1

  • 1Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-05 Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|August 7, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Leptospira motility involves coiled cell bodies and periplasmic flagella (PFs). This study reveals a correlation between posterior hook-end (H-end) gyration and protoplasmic cylinder (PC) rotation in swimming spirochetes.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Spirochetes, such as Leptospira, possess a unique coiled cell body and periplasmic flagella (PFs) enabling motility.
  • Periplasmic flagella are located beneath the outer sheath and extend from the cell ends, interacting with the protoplasmic cylinder (PC).
  • Leptospiral swimming is thought to result from combined anterior and posterior end gyrations and PC rotations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between periplasmic flagella (PF) movements and protoplasmic cylinder (PC) rotation in Leptospira.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of spirochetal motility by analyzing the interplay between different cellular components.

Main Methods:

  • Time-resolved analysis of rotation rates and directions of individual swimming Leptospira cells.
  • Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) to visualize intracellular arrangements of PFs.
  • Development of a simple rotation model to explain observed motility patterns.

Main Results:

  • A significant correlation was observed between H-end gyration and PC rotation in swimming Leptospira.
  • Measurements of motility and PF arrangements provided insights into the physical interactions during cell rotation.
  • The study provides quantitative data on the rotational dynamics of individual spirochetes.

Conclusions:

  • The findings support a model where H-end gyration and PC rotation are mutually influential during Leptospira motility.
  • This research enhances our understanding of the biomechanics underlying spirochetal locomotion.
  • The study highlights the importance of integrated cellular component function for bacterial movement.
Keywords:
Bacterial motilityCross-correlationLeptospiraSpirochete

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