The focus of our research project is the study of sensory and signal transduction in the bacterium Myxococcus xanthus as cells form multicellular aggregates and undergo fruiting body development. Directed cell movements in response to self-generated signals are important for the proper- development of all multicellular organisms, including higher eukaryoyes which must transduce signals to coordinate growth and differentiation during embryogenesis. 1. Analysis of components of the """"""""frizzy"""""""" signal transduction pathway - We plan to study FrzCD, FrzE, and FrzS. FrzCD, a methylated chemotaxis protein (MCP) receptor, differs from most MCPs in that it is soluble during vegetative growth but associates with the cell membrane in a dynamic manner during early development. We plan to study its structure and unique pattern of localization. We will also study FrzE, a CheA-CheY fusion protein, and search for interacting proteins. FrzS, a protein needed for S-motility, will also be characterized. 2. Characterization of the roles of newly identified Che homologues in M. xanthus - W e have recently discovered two new chemotaxis operons in M. xanthus that encode many Che homologues. We plan to analyze the roles that these new signal transduction pathways play in the complex coordination of multicellular interactions required for development. 3. Search for self-generated signaling molecules required for developmental aggregation The frgA and abcA genes, both of which confer the Frz phenotype when mutated, are most likely involved in the synthesis or transport of self generated chemotaxis signals since the defect in the mutants can be complemented extracellularly. We propose to use this complementation assay to search for and purify the putative signal substances.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM020509-31
Application #
6702271
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Program Officer
Anderson, Richard A
Project Start
1976-06-01
Project End
2005-02-28
Budget Start
2004-03-01
Budget End
2005-02-28
Support Year
31
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$372,407
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Berkeley
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
124726725
City
Berkeley
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94704
Fu, Guo; Bandaria, Jigar N; Le Gall, Anne Valérie et al. (2018) MotAB-like machinery drives the movement of MreB filaments during bacterial gliding motility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 115:2484-2489
Berleman, James E; Zemla, Marcin; Remis, Jonathan P et al. (2016) Exopolysaccharide microchannels direct bacterial motility and organize multicellular behavior. ISME J 10:2620-2632
Nan, Beiyan; Zusman, David R (2016) Novel mechanisms power bacterial gliding motility. Mol Microbiol 101:186-93
Kaimer, Christine; Zusman, David R (2016) Regulation of cell reversal frequency in Myxococcus xanthus requires the balanced activity of CheY-like domains in FrzE and FrzZ. Mol Microbiol 100:379-95
Nan, Beiyan; Bandaria, Jigar N; Guo, Kathy Y et al. (2015) The polarity of myxobacterial gliding is regulated by direct interactions between the gliding motors and the Ras homolog MglA. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:E186-93
Nan, Beiyan; McBride, Mark J; Chen, Jing et al. (2014) Bacteria that glide with helical tracks. Curr Biol 24:R169-73
Moine, Audrey; Agrebi, Rym; Espinosa, Leon et al. (2014) Functional organization of a multimodular bacterial chemosensory apparatus. PLoS Genet 10:e1004164
Kaimer, Christine; Zusman, David R (2013) Phosphorylation-dependent localization of the response regulator FrzZ signals cell reversals in Myxococcus xanthus. Mol Microbiol 88:740-53
Nan, Beiyan; Bandaria, Jigar N; Moghtaderi, Amirpasha et al. (2013) Flagella stator homologs function as motors for myxobacterial gliding motility by moving in helical trajectories. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:E1508-13
Kaimer, Christine; Berleman, James E; Zusman, David R (2012) Chemosensory signaling controls motility and subcellular polarity in Myxococcus xanthus. Curr Opin Microbiol 15:751-7

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