Effect of bacteria on chemotaxis in the cellular slime molds. 1969

T M Konijn

The effect of chemotactic substances, secreted by Escherichia coli, on the cellular slime molds was studied by deposition of bacteria near myxamoebae populations. Droplets of a bacterial suspension and a myxamoebae suspension were placed separately, at predetermined distances from each other, on a hydrophobic agar surface of low rigidity. Myxamoebae remained confined inside the droplets, except when they were activated by the bacterial products. The sphere of attraction increased at higher bacterial concentrations. Myxamoebae could be attracted over distances as great as 5 mm. Myxamoebae in droplets close to dense bacterial populations not only were attracted toward the bacteria but also moved out in an opposite direction from the bacteria. There was a gradual decrease of attraction at increasing distances between amoebae and bacteria. The attraction by bacteria or bacterial products was reduced at lower temperatures. Light did not affect the distance over which attraction could be observed. Myxamoebae close to their aggregation phase were most sensitive to the bacterial attractants. Bacterial attractants at high concentrations could disperse aggregates, even when they were in an advanced stage. At still higher concentrations of the bacterial products, cells stopped moving altogether. The bacterial attractants activated different species of cellular slime molds. They appeared to be present not only in E. coli but also in all other bacterial species that were tested. These results are discussed in the light of earlier observations on the attraction of cells by aggregates of myxamoebae.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008027 Light That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range. Light, Visible,Photoradiation,Radiation, Visible,Visible Radiation,Photoradiations,Radiations, Visible,Visible Light,Visible Radiations
D009235 Myxomycetes A division of organisms that exist vegetatively as complex mobile plasmodia, reproduce by means of spores, and have complex life cycles. They are now classed as protozoa but formerly were considered fungi. Myxomycota,Protosteliomycetes,Slime Molds, Plasmodial,Slime Molds, True,Mold, Plasmodial Slime,Mold, True Slime,Molds, Plasmodial Slime,Molds, True Slime,Myxomycete,Myxomycotas,Plasmodial Slime Mold,Plasmodial Slime Molds,Protosteliomycete,Slime Mold, Plasmodial,Slime Mold, True,True Slime Mold,True Slime Molds
D002633 Chemotaxis The movement of cells or organisms toward or away from a substance in response to its concentration gradient. Haptotaxis
D003585 Cell Biology The study of the structure, behavior, growth, reproduction, and pathology of cells; and the function and chemistry of cellular components. Cellular Biology,Biologies, Cell,Biologies, Cellular,Biology, Cell,Biology, Cellular,Cell Biologies,Cellular Biologies
D004754 Enterobacter Gram-negative gas-producing rods found in feces of humans and other animals, sewage, soil, water, and dairy products.
D004926 Escherichia coli A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria (GRAM-NEGATIVE FACULTATIVELY ANAEROBIC RODS) commonly found in the lower part of the intestine of warm-blooded animals. It is usually nonpathogenic, but some strains are known to produce DIARRHEA and pyogenic infections. Pathogenic strains (virotypes) are classified by their specific pathogenic mechanisms such as toxins (ENTEROTOXIGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI), etc. Alkalescens-Dispar Group,Bacillus coli,Bacterium coli,Bacterium coli commune,Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli,E coli,EAggEC,Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli,Enterococcus coli,Diffusely Adherent E. coli,Enteroaggregative E. coli,Enteroinvasive E. coli,Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli
D001410 Bacillus megaterium A species of bacteria whose spores vary from round to elongate. It is a common soil saprophyte. Bacillus megatherium
D001412 Bacillus subtilis A species of gram-positive bacteria that is a common soil and water saprophyte. Natto Bacteria,Bacillus subtilis (natto),Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto,Bacillus subtilis var. natto
D012505 Sarcina A genus of gram-positive, anaerobic bacteria whose organisms divide in three perpendicular planes and occur in packets of eight or more cells. It has been isolated from soil, grains, and clinical specimens.
D012706 Serratia marcescens A species of gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria found in soil, water, food, and clinical specimens. It is a prominent opportunistic pathogen for hospitalized patients.

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