Bacterial social networks: structure and composition of Myxococcus xanthus outer membrane vesicle chains

SMC Author

James E. Berleman

SMC Affiliated Work

1

Status

Faculty

School

School of Science

Department

Biology

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2014

Publication / Conference / Sponsorship

Environmental Microbiolgy

Description/Abstract

The social soil bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, displays a variety of complex and highly coordinated behaviours, including social motility, predatory rippling and fruiting body formation. Here we show that M. xanthus cells produce a network of outer membrane extensions in the form of outer membrane vesicle chains and membrane tubes that interconnect cells. We observed peritrichous display of vesicles and vesicle chains, and increased abundance in biofilms compared with planktonic cultures. By applying a range of imaging techniques, including three-dimensional (3D) focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy, we determined these structures to range between 30 and 60 nm in width and up to 5 μm in length. Purified vesicle chains consist of typical M. xanthus lipids, fucose, mannose, N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylgalactoseamine carbohydrates and a small set of cargo protein. The protein content includes CglB and Tgl outer membrane proteins known to be transferable between cells in a contact-dependent manner. Most significantly, the 3D organization of cells within biofilms indicates that cells are connected via an extensive network of membrane extensions that may connect cells at the level of the periplasmic space. Such a network would allow the transfer of membrane proteins and other molecules between cells, and therefore could provide a mechanism for the coordination of social activities.

Scholarly

yes

DOI

10.1111/1462-2920.12187

Volume

16

Issue

2

First Page

598

Last Page

610

Disciplines

Biology

Comments

Featured on Journal Cover.

Original Citation

James Berleman (Biology): “Bacterial social networks: structure and composition of Myxococcus xanthus outer membrane vesicle chains,” with Remis JP, Wei D, Gorur A, Zemla M, Haraga J, Allen S, Witkowska HE, Costerton JW, and Auer M., in Environmental Microbiolgy, Feb;16(2):598-610, 2014 doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.12187. Epub 2013 Jul 15.

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