Myxococcus xanthus

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Scientific classification

Description and significance

Myxococcus xanthus is a social organism, which are self-organized, saprotrophic and predatory. M. Xanthus is a rod shaped, gram negative bacteria, which uses a form of gliding for locomotion. There's been recent discovery of two types of systems used for locomotion. The first system is type IV pilli, which is used as a type of hook. The second system is mucus secreting, which tend to form sites of focal adhesion. During starvation periods M. xanthus tends to form fruiting bodies. Within these fruiting bodies there are spores. These spores will germinate in order to return to a vegetative cycle as soon as conditions are favorable. M.xanthus is a predator to other bacteria, but harmless to humans.

Genome structure

M.xanthus is one of the largest prokaryotic genomes to be sequenced.

Ecology

M. xanthus is commonly found in soil. This bacteria lives in a multi-cellular unit.

Application to biotechnology

The unique feature of M.xanthus being predatory towards other bacteria, is of great use for studies. This feature has been hypothesis to be utilized in order to predate for other harmful bacteria.

Current research

Current locomotion studies have revealed that the synchronizing of both motor systems is due to spatial oscillation of motility proteins. M. xanthus predation tactics are being studied with results such as: a sort of cell reversal motion which cause a wave like effect, directing towards the prey. There is also a correlation between the ripple wavelength and amount of prey available. High amounts prey there are shorter wavelengths, lower amounts of prey cause a longer wavelength.

References

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxococcus_xanthus>

<http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Mycoccus_xanthus>

<Genetic circuitry controlling motility behaviors of Myxococcus xanthus, Taˆ m Mignot1* and John R. Kirby2 >

<The social lifestyle of myxobacteria, Arthur L. Koch* and David White >

<http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/CCOM/news/video-predataxis/>

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