Cell-body curvature modulates stall frequency to enhance <i>Vibrio cholerae</i> swimming and chemotaxis through hydrogels.

ABSTRACT: The swimming motility of Vibrio cholerae is a virulence factor that aids in breaching the mucus layer of the small intestine. V. cholerae cells have a curved cell shape and previous work demonstrated that loss of curvature decreases infectivity. Here we investigate the mechanism by which V. cholerae's curvature affects single-cell motility within mucus-mimicking environments. Using a multiscale chemotaxis assay, we compared the chemotactic performance of wild-type curved cells (O1 El Tor C6706) and straight mutants under linear chemical gradients in liquid solutions, viscous solutions, and soft agar hydrogels. Our findings reveal that curved and straight V. cholerae exhibit similar swimming properties in liquid and purely viscous solutions but significantly diff

SUBMITTER: Malik M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12803114 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature