A myxobacterial S-motility protein dances with poles.
Coordinated movement of packs of S-motile Myxococcus xanthus cells relies on extrusion and retraction of pili that are located at one cell pole. At regular intervals the pili switch their polar location and cells reverse direction. Recently, the FrzS S-motility protein was observed to localize predominantly to the piliated pole. In time, FrzS was redeployed to the opposite pole and its sequestration at the new site coincided with cell reversal. The C-terminal region of FrzS, a response regulator homolog, is rich in coiled-coil motifs and is required for dynamic localization and proper motility. These results raise the possibility that proper spatial control of FrzS has an important role in the regulation of cell reversal and S-motility.
Huitema
Edgar
E
Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
Viollier
Patrick H
PH