Induction of cellular morphogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus. I. General description.

Dworkin, Martin (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis), and William Sadler. Induction of cellular morphogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus. I. General description. J. Bacteriol. 91:1516-1519. 1966.-The details of a process for converting vegetative rods of Myxococcus xanthus to microcysts rapidly (120 min), quantitatively, and synchronously are presented. The conversion is induced by 0.5 m glycerol. On the basis of a number of morphological and physiological parameters, the microcysts thus produced are identical with those produced within fruiting bodies. Microcyst formation requires Mg(++) or Ca(++) and aeration, and is considerably stimulated by the presence of the growth medium. The process is reversible, by the removal of the inducer, and will take place only with exponentially growing cells. Mutants unable to form microcysts have been isolated. These are also deficient in their ability to form fruiting bodies.