Mutations in two new loci that impair both extracellular protein production and development in Myxococcus xanthus

Two transposon insertion mutants of Myxococcus xanthus altered in the secretion of protein as determined by the hydrolytic activities of several enzymes during vegetative growth were also unable to complete fruiting body formation and were severely impaired in sporulation. The insertions were located in the same part of the M. xanthus chromosome but were unlinked by transduction and therefore define two distinct loci, called excA and excB. Since both Exc +/- mutants were able to rescue development of an asgB mutation, they do not belong to the Asg- group, despite of the fact that asg mutants are also Exc +/-. Our results sustain the hypothesis of a possible relationship between protein secretion during vegetative growth and development or sporulation.