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Journal of Bacteriology, January 2005, p. 224-230, Vol. 187, No. 1
0021-9193/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.187.1.224-230.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Inactivation of swmA Results in the Loss of an Outer Cell Layer in a Swimming Synechococcus Strain

J. McCarren,1 J. Heuser,2 R. Roth,2 N. Yamada,3 M. Martone,3 and B. Brahamsha1*

Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography,1 National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California—San Diego, La Jolla, California,3 Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri2

Received 14 July 2004/ Accepted 25 September 2004

The mechanism of nonflagellar swimming of marine unicellular cyanobacteria remains poorly understood. SwmA is an abundant cell surface-associated 130-kDa glycoprotein that is required for the generation of thrust in Synechococcus sp. strain WH8102. Ultrastructural comparisons of wild-type cells to a mutant strain in which the gene encoding SwmA has been insertionally inactivated reveal that the mutant lacks a layer external to the outer membrane. Cryofixation and freeze-substitution are required for the preservation of this external layer. Freeze fracturing and etching reveal that this additional layer is an S-layer. How the S-layer might function in motility remains elusive; however, this work describes an ultrastructural component required for this unique type of swimming. In addition, the work presented here describes the envelope structure of a model swimming cyanobacterium.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California—San Diego, 3135 Hubbs Hall, 8750 Biological Grade, La Jolla, CA 92093-0202. Phone: (858) 534-7505. Fax: (858) 534-7313. E-mail: bbrahamsha{at}ucsd.edu.

Journal of Bacteriology, January 2005, p. 224-230, Vol. 187, No. 1
0021-9193/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.187.1.224-230.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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