PERMANENT ATTACHMENT OF MYXOBACTERIA MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS
The permanent attachment of Myxococcus xanthus V-25 and M. xanthus 422 to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface was studied. The strains attached mostly to the hydrophobic surface. Protease and chloramphenicol did not promote the cells to detach from both surfaces, but sodium periodate did. This suggests that exopolysaccharide may play a role in their permanent attachment. The presence of Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr induced the changes in the permanent attachment of the strains to both types of the surfaces. It appeared to be reflected in the changes to the charge and hydrophobic characteristics of the cell surfaces measured by hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction chromatography. There was a decline in attachment for death phase cells compared exponential and stationary phase cells but there were no major changes in the cell surface characteristics with growth phase. This suggests that cell physiological activity may contribute to irreversible adhesion for myxobacteria, however, ClCCP, a metabolic inhibitor, did not affect the permanent attachment of the cells. The attachment of both strains declined with increasing pH. Possible mechanisms for the permanent attachment are discussed in the light of these results.