Large-scale quantitative analysis of sources of variation in the actin polymerization-based movement of Listeria monocytogenes.

ABSTRACT: During the actin polymerization-based movement of Listeria monocytogenes, individual bacteria are rapidly propelled through the host cell cytoplasm by the growth of a filamentous actin tail. The rate of propulsion varies significantly among individuals and over time. To study this variation, we used a high-throughput tracking technique to record the movement of a large number (approximately 7900) of bacteria in Xenopus frog egg extract. Most bacteria (70%) appeared to maintain an individual characteristic speed over several minutes, suggesting that the major source of variation in average speed is intrinsic to the bacterium. Thirty percent of bacteria had significant changes in speed over time spans of a few minutes, including 17% that appeared to collide with obstacles and 13% that moved

SUBMITTER: Soo FS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1366568 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature