The predation strategy of Myxococcus xanthus
Microbiology Seminar Series
- Datum: 04.04.2022
- Uhrzeit: 13:15
- Vortragende(r): Dr. Christine Kaimer
- Ruhr Universität Bochum, Department for Biology and Biotechnology, Microbial Biology
- Ort: MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology
- Raum: Lecture hall
- Gastgeber: Dr. Andreas Diepold
- Kontakt: andreas.diepold@mpi-marburg.mpg.de
Predation shapes interbacterial interactions in different habitats, but we know little about its molecular mechanisms. We investigate predation mechanisms in the myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus, which feeds on a broad range of microorganisms in soil.
Comparing different bacteriolytic properties of M. xanthus, we found that an unkown, cell-contact dependent mechanism is used to kill Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This involves the concerted action of two protein secretion systems, which accumulate at the predator-prey interface. These secretion systems mediate cell death and lysis, respectively, and are both required for M. xanthus to extract nutrients from prey.