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Chemotaxis in a gliding bacterium

D B Kearns¹, L J Shimkets

¹Department of Microbiology, 527 Biological Sciences Building, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2605, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America

|September 30, 1998

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Myxococcus xanthus uses phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as a chemoattractant for directed movement. Specific PE molecules guide cells up gradients, though unknown PE types also contribute to this bacterial chemotaxis.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Bacterial Motility
Chemotaxis

Background:

Myxococcus xanthus exhibits directed movement in response to environmental cues.
Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a key phospholipid in bacterial membranes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) as a chemoattractant in Myxococcus xanthus.
To identify the specific PE molecules involved in bacterial chemotaxis.

Main Methods:

Computer-assisted stop-motion digital microscopy to track cell movement.
Analysis of mutant strains defective in chemotaxis signaling pathways (FrzCD, FrzE).
Testing synthetic PE variants with defined fatty acid compositions.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

PE acts as a chemoattractant, suppressing cellular reversals and promoting movement up gradients.
Specific synthetic PEs (dilauroyl and dioleoyl) mimic this chemoattractant behavior.
Mutants showed defects in adaptation but not initial excitation, confirming PE as a transduced stimulus.
Identified PE as a discrete phospholipid chemoattractant in a gliding bacterium.

Conclusions:

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is a chemoattractant for Myxococcus xanthus, influencing directed motility.
While specific PE species are involved, other unknown PE forms likely contribute to chemotaxis.
The chemotaxis signaling pathway is crucial for PE-mediated adaptation and response.