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Control of morphogenesis in myxobacteria
Critical Reviews in Microbiology
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Myxobacteria, like Myxococcus xanthus, form complex fruiting bodies when starved for nutrients and surrounded by other cells. This coordinated development relies on environmental and intercellular signals for initiation and timing.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Development
- Social Behavior in Bacteria
Background:
- Myxobacteria are Gram-negative soil bacteria known for forming large swarms.
- They exhibit complex multicellular development, forming species-specific fruiting bodies.
- This development is triggered by specific environmental and intercellular cues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the key factors initiating and regulating myxobacterial development.
- To highlight the role of nutritional deprivation and cell density in triggering fruiting body formation.
- To provide an overview of the signaling mechanisms in Myxococcus xanthus development.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on myxobacterial development.
- Analysis of signaling pathways in Myxococcus xanthus.
- Identification of environmental and intercellular signals.
Main Results:
- Myxobacterial development, exemplified by Myxococcus xanthus, is initiated by nutritional deprivation (e.g., amino acid or phosphate starvation).
- High cell density acts as a crucial intercellular signal for development.
- Specific amino acids serve as primary carbon, nitrogen, and energy sources, and their starvation is a key environmental trigger.
- Multiple intercellular signals regulate the initiation and temporal progression of developmental events.
Conclusions:
- Myxobacterial fruiting body formation is a sophisticated multicellular process.
- Environmental and intercellular signaling are critical for coordinating this development.
- Myxococcus xanthus serves as a model organism for understanding these complex bacterial behaviors.