Three-dimensional obstacles for bacterial surface motility

Small. 2012 Feb 20;8(4):530-4. doi: 10.1002/smll.201101362. Epub 2011 Dec 20.

Abstract

Twitching motility enables bacteria to move over surfaces using type IV pili as grappling hooks. Here it is shown that the motility of the round Neisseria gonorrhoeae as well as of rod-shaped Myxococcus xanthus is guided by elevations with dimension and depth corresponding to the size of the bacteria.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes / pharmacology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Movement / drug effects
  • Myxococcus xanthus / drug effects
  • Myxococcus xanthus / physiology*
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / drug effects
  • Neisseria gonorrhoeae / physiology*
  • Surface Properties / drug effects

Substances

  • Dimethylpolysiloxanes