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A new set of chemotaxis homologues is essential for Myxococcus xanthus social motility
Author(s) -
Yang Zhaomin,
Geng Yongzhi,
Xu Di,
Kaplan Heidi B.,
Shi Wenyuan
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1998.01160.x
Subject(s) - myxococcus xanthus , biology , chemotaxis , motility , gliding motility , set (abstract data type) , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , gene , receptor , mutant , computer science , programming language
Myxococcus xanthuscells aggregate and develop into multicellular fruiting bodies in response to starvation. A newM. xanthuslocus, designateddiffor defective in fruiting, was identified by the characterization of a mutant defective in fruiting body formation. Molecular cloning, DNA sequencing and sequence analysis indicate that thediflocus encodes a new set of chemotaxis homologues of the bacterial chemotaxis proteins MCPs (methyl‐accepting chemotaxis proteins), CheW, CheY and CheA. Thedifgenes are distinct genetically and functionally from the previously identifiedM. xanthus frzchemotaxis genes, suggesting that multiple chemotaxis‐like systems are required for the developmental process ofM. xanthusfruiting body formation. Genetic analysis and phenotypical characterization indicate that theM. xanthus diflocus is required for social (S) motility. This is the first report of aM. xanthuschemotaxis‐like signal transduction pathway that could regulate or co‐ordinate the movement ofM. xanthus cells to bring about S motility.