Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Identification of a Gene Required for Gliding Motility in Myxococcus xanthus

  • Lee Cha-Yul (Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University) ;
  • Chung Jin-Woo (Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University) ;
  • Kim Ji-Hoon (Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University) ;
  • Cho Kyung-Yun (Department of Biotechnology, Hoseo University)
  • Published : 2006.05.01
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Abstract

A novel gene (agiA) required for adventurous gliding motility in Myxococcus xanthus has been identified. Null mutations in this gene caused defects in the gliding movement of isolated cells, suggesting that it belongs to one of the A-motility genes. The isolated agiA mutant cells neither glided nor produced slime trails on agar surface. However, agiA was different from other known A-motility genes in that the agiA mutant created in the $S^-$ mutant background glided in the swarm of cells, since other known A-motility mutants created in the $S^-$ mutant background do not move in the swarm of cells. The agiA mutant was also defective in fruiting body development. Sequence analysis predicted that agiA encodes a 787-amino-acid protein with eight tripeptide repeat motifs.

Keywords

References

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