Motor-driven intracellular transport powers bacterial gliding motility

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1101101108
• Publication Date: 2011-04-12T10:00:50Z
• Authors: Mingzhai Sun; Morgane Wartel; Eric Cascales; Joshua W. Shaevitz; Tâm Mignot
• Keywords: Myxococcus xanthus; Gliding motility; Molecular motor; Intracellular transport

Protein-directed intracellular transport has not been observed in bacteria despite the existence of dynamic protein localization and a complex cytoskeleton. However, trafficking clear potential uses for important cellular processes such as growth, development, chromosome segregation, motility. Conflicting models have proposed to explain Myxococcus xanthus motility on solid surfaces, some favoring secretion engines at rear cells others evoking an unknown class molecular motors distributed along cell body. Through combination fluorescence imaging, force microscopy, genetic manipulation, we show that membrane-bound cytoplasmic complexes consisting motor regulatory proteins are directionally transported down axis constant velocity. This motion is transmitted exterior converted traction forces substrate. Thus, this study demonstrates conserved processive shows how these adapted produce