Spiroplasma swim by a processive change in body helicity

Joshua W. Shaevitz; Joanna Y. Lee; Daniel A. Fletcher

doi:10.1016/j.cell.2005.07.004

Spiroplasma swim by a processive change in body helicity

Joshua W. Shaevitz, Joanna Y. Lee, Daniel A. Fletcher

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

97 Scopus citations

Abstract

Microscopic organisms must rely on very different strategies than their macroscopic counterparts to swim through liquid. To date, the best understood method for prokaryotic swimming employs the rotation of flagella. Here, we show that Spiroplasma, tiny helical bacteria that infect plants and insects, use a very different approach. By measuring cell kinematics during free swimming, we find that propulsion is generated by the propagation of kink pairs down the length of the cell body. A processive change in the helicity of the body creates these waves and enables directional movement.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	941-945
Number of pages	5
Journal	Cell
Volume	122
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2005.07.004
State	Published - Sep 23 2005
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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10.1016/j.cell.2005.07.004

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title = "Spiroplasma swim by a processive change in body helicity",

abstract = "Microscopic organisms must rely on very different strategies than their macroscopic counterparts to swim through liquid. To date, the best understood method for prokaryotic swimming employs the rotation of flagella. Here, we show that Spiroplasma, tiny helical bacteria that infect plants and insects, use a very different approach. By measuring cell kinematics during free swimming, we find that propulsion is generated by the propagation of kink pairs down the length of the cell body. A processive change in the helicity of the body creates these waves and enables directional movement.",

author = "Shaevitz, {Joshua W.} and Lee, {Joanna Y.} and Fletcher, {Daniel A.}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank George Oster, Andrew Spakowitz, Steven Block, and the Fletcher lab for helpful discussions and careful reading of the manuscript. This work was supported by the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science and an NSF CAREER Award to D.A.F.",

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AU - Lee, Joanna Y.

AU - Fletcher, Daniel A.

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Y1 - 2005/9/23

N2 - Microscopic organisms must rely on very different strategies than their macroscopic counterparts to swim through liquid. To date, the best understood method for prokaryotic swimming employs the rotation of flagella. Here, we show that Spiroplasma, tiny helical bacteria that infect plants and insects, use a very different approach. By measuring cell kinematics during free swimming, we find that propulsion is generated by the propagation of kink pairs down the length of the cell body. A processive change in the helicity of the body creates these waves and enables directional movement.

AB - Microscopic organisms must rely on very different strategies than their macroscopic counterparts to swim through liquid. To date, the best understood method for prokaryotic swimming employs the rotation of flagella. Here, we show that Spiroplasma, tiny helical bacteria that infect plants and insects, use a very different approach. By measuring cell kinematics during free swimming, we find that propulsion is generated by the propagation of kink pairs down the length of the cell body. A processive change in the helicity of the body creates these waves and enables directional movement.

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Spiroplasma swim by a processive change in body helicity

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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