Myxococcus xanthus

Classification

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Deltaproteobacteria; Mxyococcales; Myxococcus; xanthus

Genome Structure

The genome of Myxococcus xanthus was sequenced in 2001 and released to the public. In 2006, The Institute for Genomic Research completed the genome. The complete genome is 9.14 Mb long which is contained in a single chromosome and has a GC content of 69%. The length of the M. xanthus genome is much larger than many other delta-proteobacteria, which may be due to its complex, cooperative lifestyle in its soil environment. The genome encodes nearly 7,500 genes.

Along with completion of the genome in 2006, Goldman and colleagues (2006) examined the genome to see why there was a length discrepancy between M. xanthus and other delta-proteobacteria. By comparing the genomes with other genomes of sequenced delta-proteobacteria, they found that at least 1,500 of the genes were lineage-specific, meaning that they were duplicated and have diverged over evolutionary time. The authors state that more than the 1,500 genes with a lineage-specific, but were excluded due the stringent criteria used in their analysis. Within the lineage-specific gene duplications are genes that code for STPKs, sigma-54 activator proteins, and two-component regulatory systems.

In 2007, Goldman et al. looked at the genes involved in fruiting body development and found that 73% of the genes involved in this process are lineage specific. However, 22% of the genes have different codon biases or altered phylogeny suggesting that these genes were obtained through horizontal gene transfer and indicating that genes obtained laterally were essential to the M. xanthus life cycle.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Myxococcus xanthus is a gram negative, rod-shaped soil bacterium. It is classified as a chemoorganotroph, meaning that it obtains its energy by oxidizing organic compounds. M. xanthus is very abundant in the soil sometimes reaching densities of ___ per gram of soil. They are a predatory bacteria that hunt for prey by cooperating to form a groups of cells that swarms through the soil. The group of cells feed on bacteria that they come across by secreting digestive enzymes and feeding on the nutrients. M. xanthus is an auxotroph for several essential amino acids, including isoleucine, leucine, valine, and vitamin B12 (for the synthesis of methionine), and depends on this behavior to survive and obtain the required nutrients for growth. Pyruvate is the most efficient source of cellular carbon, and most tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates are less efficient sources of carbon. Studies show that mono- and disaccharides are not efficient sources of carbon-energy. When starved for nutrients the group of M. xanthus cells undergo a develomental change in which the cells form a fruiting body in which contains spores that can disperse and rejuvenate into motile cells when they sense that prey are around.

Motility

Myxococcus xanthus has pili which facilitates motility. The pili are found only at the cell poles. M. xanthus has two patterns of cell movement: adventurous (A-motility) and social (S-motility). Each type of motility is governed by a separate gene system called system A and system S, respectively. A-motility does not require the use of pili, and is characterized by single, isolated cells, whereas S-motility requires the use of pili and is characterized by many groups of cells.

References

Evolution of sensory complexity recorded in a myxobacterial genome

Nutrition of Myxococcus xanthus, a fruiting myxobacterium. A P Bretscher, and D Kaiser

Authors

Page authored by Devin Dobias and Suhas Devangam, Students of Prof. Jay Lennon, at Michigan State University.