Inactive "Ghost" Cells Do Not Affect Motility and Long-Range Electron Transport in Filamentous Cable Bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Cable bacteria are multicellular filamentous microorganisms that perform electrogenic sulphur oxidation over centimetre-long distances. These filaments contain so-called "ghost cells", which display a highly reduced cytoplasmic content and a lack of metabolic activity. However, the origin and abundance of these ghost cells are not well understood, raising questions about their formation and potential impact on the functioning of the entire filaments. Here, we quantified the abundance of ghost cells in cable bacteria via a targeted propidium iodide staining technique and investigated their morphology and possible origin. Microscopy revealed that ghost cells are present in filaments under in situ conditions, and hence, they are not an artefact from filament sampling. Interestingly, filaments

SUBMITTER: van Dijk JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12163305 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature