Anaerobic respiration using a complete oxidative TCA cycle drives multicellular swarming in Proteus mirabilis.

ABSTRACT: Proteus mirabilis rapidly migrates across surfaces using a periodic developmental process of differentiation alternating between short swimmer cells and elongated hyperflagellated swarmer cells. To undergo this vigorous flagellum-mediated motility, bacteria must generate a substantial proton gradient across their cytoplasmic membranes by using available energy pathways. We sought to identify the link between energy pathways and swarming differentiation by examining the behavior of defined central metabolism mutants. Mutations in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (fumC and sdhB mutants) caused altered patterns of swarming periodicity, suggesting an aerobic pathway. Surprisingly, the wild-type strain swarmed on agar containing sodium azide, which poisons aerobic respiration; the fumC TCA cy

SUBMITTER: Alteri CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3487771 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature