Conditional requirement of SglT for type IV pili function and S-motility in .

Myxobacteria exhibit complex social behaviors such as predation, outer membrane exchange and fruiting body formation. These behaviors depend on coordinated movements of cells on solid surfaces that involve social (S) motility. S-motility is powered by extension-retraction cycles of type 4 pili (Tfp) and exopolysaccharides (EPS) that provide a matrix for group cellular movement.

Sibling Rivalry in Myxococcus xanthus Is Mediated by Kin Recognition and a Polyploid Prophage.

Unlabelled: Myxobacteria form complex social communities that elicit multicellular behaviors. One such behavior is kin recognition, in which cells identify siblings via their polymorphic TraA cell surface receptor, to transiently fuse outer membranes and exchange their contents. In addition, outer membrane exchange (OME) regulates behaviors, such as inhibition of wild-type Myxococcus xanthus (DK1622) from swarming.

Cell rejuvenation and social behaviors promoted by LPS exchange in myxobacteria.

Bacterial cells in their native environments must cope with factors that compromise the integrity of the cell. The mechanisms of coping with damage in a social or multicellular context are poorly understood. Here we investigated how a model social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, approaches this problem.

Myxobacteria produce outer membrane-enclosed tubes in unstructured environments.

Myxobacteria are social microbes that exhibit complex multicellular behaviors. By use of fluorescent reporters, we show that Myxococcus xanthus isolates produce long narrow filaments that are enclosed by the outer membrane (OM) and contain proteins. We show that these OM tube (OMT) structures are produced at surprisingly high levels when cells are placed in liquid medium or buffer without agitation.

Molecular recognition by a polymorphic cell surface receptor governs cooperative behaviors in bacteria.

Cell-cell recognition is a fundamental process that allows cells to coordinate multicellular behaviors. Some microbes, such as myxobacteria, build multicellular fruiting bodies from free-living cells. However, how bacterial cells recognize each other by contact is poorly understood.

Myxobacterial tools for social interactions.

Myxobacteria exhibit complex social traits during which large populations of cells coordinate their behaviors. An iconic example is their response to starvation: thousands of cells move by gliding motility to build a fruiting body in which vegetative cells differentiate into spores. Here we review mechanisms that the model species Myxococcus xanthus uses for cell-cell interactions, with a focus on developmental signaling and social gliding motility.

Cell contact-dependent outer membrane exchange in myxobacteria: genetic determinants and mechanism.

Biofilms are dense microbial communities. Although widely distributed and medically important, how biofilm cells interact with one another is poorly understood. Recently, we described a novel process whereby myxobacterial biofilm cells exchange their outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins.

Identification of the cglC, cglD, cglE, and cglF genes and their role in cell contact-dependent gliding motility in Myxococcus xanthus.

Within Myxococcus xanthus biofilms, cells actively move and exchange their outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins and lipids. Between genetically distinct strains, OM exchange can regulate recipient cell behaviors, including gliding motility and development. Although many different proteins are thought to be exchanged, to date, only two endogenous OM lipoproteins, CglB and Tgl, are known to be transferred.

Heterologous protein transfer within structured myxobacteria biofilms.

Microbial biofilms represent heterogeneous populations of cells that form intimate contacts. Within these populations cells communicate, cooperate and compete. Myxobacteria are noted for their complex social interactions, including gliding motility and lipoprotein exchange.