Spatial organization of Myxococcus xanthus during fruiting body formation.
Microcinematography was used to examine fruiting body development of Myxococcus xanthus. Wild-type cells progress through three distinct phases: a quiescent phase with some motility but little aggregation (0 to 8 h), a period of vigorous motility leading to raised fruiting bodies (8 to 16 h), and a period of maturation during which sporulation is initiated (16 to 48 h). Fruiting bodies are extended vertically in a series of tiers, each involving the addition of a cell monolayer on top of the uppermost layer. A pilA (MXAN_5783) mutant produced less extracellular matrix material and thus allowed closer examination of tiered aggregate formation. A csgA (MXAN_1294) mutant exhibited no quiescent phase, aberrant aggregation in phase 2, and disintegration of the fruiting bodies in the third phase.
Curtis
Patrick D
PD
Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA.
Taylor
Rion G
RG
Welch
Roy D
RD
Shimkets
Lawrence J
LJ
D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D009068:Movement; D016941:Myxococcus xanthus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*