Open AccessChemotactic, magnetotactic and tactile behaviour in a magnetic spirillum
Author(s) -
Spormann Alfred M.,
Wolfe R.S.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1984.tb00720.x
Subject(s) - chemotaxis , microaerophile , magnetotactic bacteria , intracellular , motility , microbiology and biotechnology , biophysics , chemistry , biology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , receptor
Cells of a magnetic spirillum exhibited a chemotactic (aerotactic) response when suspended in a solution of 2‐mercaptoethanesulfonate, mercaptoethanol, or thioglycolate. In a slide preparation masses of cells formed bands. Cells in a band reversed their direction of motility along the applied magnetic lines of force without turning; the tactile response of cells occurred in a similar manner. It is proposed that in nature possession of an intracellular magnet allows the microaerophilic cell to pursue the most efficient aerotactic behaviour; orientation in the geomagnetic lines of force eliminates the need for twiddling, long runs and short runs.