The bacterial linear motor of Spiroplasma melliferum BC3: from single molecules to swimming cells.

Spiroplasma melliferum BC3 are wall-less bacteria with internal cytoskeletons. Spiroplasma, Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma belong to the Mollicutes, which represent the smallest, simplest and minimal free-living and self-replicating forms of life. The Mollicutes are motile and chemotactic.

Motility modes of Spiroplasma melliferum BC3: a helical, wall-less bacterium driven by a linear motor.

Spiroplasma are members of the Mollicutes (Mycoplasma, Acholeplasma and Spiroplasma) - the simplest, minimal, free-living and self-replicating forms of life. The mollicutes are unique among bacteria in completely lacking cell walls and flagella and in having an internal, contractile cytoskeleton, which also functions as a linear motor. Spiroplasma are helical, chemotactic and viscotactic active swimmers.