1887

Abstract

is a gliding bacterium that possesses two motility systems, the adventurous (A-motility) and social (S-motility) systems. A-motility is used for individual cell gliding, while S-motility is used for gliding in multicellular groups. Video microscopy studies showed that cells are non-motile on agar surfaces, suggesting that the gene product is absolutely required for both A-motility and S-motility under these assay conditions. S-motility requires functional type IV pili, wild-type LPS O-antigen, and an extracellular matrix of exopolysaccharide (EPS) and protein called fibrils. The results of expression studies and tethering assays indicate that the mutant has functional type IV pili. The mutant also produces wild-type LPS. However, several lines of evidence suggest that the mutant is defective for production of the EPS portion of the fibril matrix. The mutant is also defective for transcription of two genes ( and ) known to be required for A-motility, which is consistent with the idea that cells are defective for A-motility. Based on these findings, it is proposed that the putative transcriptional activator Nla24 regulates a subset of genes that are important for A-motility and S-motility in .

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2004-12-01
2024-03-28
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