Myxococcus xanthus displays Frz-dependent chemokinetic behavior during vegetative swarming

Myxococcus xanthus has been shown to utilize both directed (tactic) and undirected (kinetic) movements during different stages of its complex life cycle. We have used time-lapse video microscopic analysis to separate tactic and kinetic behaviors associated specifically with vegetatively swarming cells. Isolated individual cells separated by a thin agar barrier from mature swarms showed significant increases in gliding velocity compared to that of similar cells some distance from the swarm. This orthokinetic behavior was independent of the frequency of reversals of gliding direction (klinokinesis) but did require both the Frz signal transduction system and S-motility. We propose that M. xanthus uses Frz-dependent, auto-orthokinetic behavior to facilitate the dispersal of cells under conditions where both cell density and nutrient levels are high.