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Cyclic nucleotides and development ofMyxococcus xanthus: Analysis of mutants

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Abstract

Approximately 60 developmental mutants ofMyxococcus xanthus M300 were obtained through nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis and placed into three operationally defined categories. Type-I strains exhibited no aggregation or sporulation. Type-II strains were able to aggregate but did not sporulate. A strain classed as a type-III strain was a low-capacity fruiter. Each category displayed defects in cyclic nucleotide behavior that could be predicted from the current model. Most significantly, several aggregationless (type I) mutants lacking cGMP phosphodiesterase aggregated in the presence of externally applied phosphodiesterase. A requirement for cell-cell contact in sporulation has been confirmed. Evidence is presented that suggests the involvement of cAMP phosphodiesterase in sporulation and that sporulation may be a developmental pathway independent of aggregation. These results support a previously published hypothesis of the role of cyclic nucleotides in the development ofM. xanthus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Windsor, N9B 3P4, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

    Luciano Passador &  Howard D. McCurdy

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  1. Luciano Passador
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  2. Howard D. McCurdy
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Passador, L., McCurdy, H.D. Cyclic nucleotides and development ofMyxococcus xanthus: Analysis of mutants. Current Microbiology 12, 289–294 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01567980

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