Faculty Collaboration Database

Genetic circuitry controlling motility behaviors of Myxococcus xanthus. Bioessays 2008 Aug;30(8):733-43

Date

07/16/2008

Pubmed ID

18623059

DOI

10.1002/bies.20790

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-48949097122 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   19 Citations

Abstract

M. xanthus has a complex multicellular lifestyle including swarming, predation and development. These behaviors depend on the ability of the cells to achieve directed motility across solid surfaces. M. xanthus cells have evolved two motility systems including Type-IV pili that act as grappling hooks and a controversial engine involving mucus secretion and fixed focal adhesion sites. The necessity for cells to coordinate the motility systems and to respond rapidly to environmental cues is reflected by a complex genetic network involving at least three complete sets of chemosensory systems and eukaryotic-like signaling proteins. In this review, we discuss recent advances suggesting that motor synchronization results from spatial oscillations of motility proteins. We further propose that these dynamics are modulated by the action of multiple upstream complementary signaling systems. M. xanthus is thus an exciting emerging model system to study the intricate processes of directed cell migration.

Author List

Mignot T, Kirby JR

Author

John Kirby PhD Chair, Center Associate Director, Professor in the Microbiology and Immunology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Bacterial Adhesion
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
Bacterial Proteins
Cell Movement
Chemotaxis
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Genes, Bacterial
Models, Biological
Models, Genetic
Movement
Myxococcus xanthus
Oscillometry
Signal Transduction