Myxococcus xanthus

General Information

Myxococcus xanthus is a fascinating bacterium known for its complex social behavior and multicellular development. This organism is a model system for studying bacterial cooperation, differentiation, and predation. One of the most remarkable features of M. xanthus is its ability to form fruiting bodies, which are multicellular structures that arise when the bacteria are starved. These fruiting bodies contain spores that can withstand harsh conditions, ensuring the survival of the species. Another unique characteristic of M. xanthus is its predatory lifestyle. It preys on other microorganisms by secreting a variety of hydrolytic enzymes that break down the prey's cellular components, which M. xanthus then absorbs. This predatory behavior makes it an interesting subject for studying microbial interactions and competition. Additionally, M. xanthus exhibits a sophisticated form of movement known as gliding motility, which allows it to move across surfaces without the use of flagella. This type of motility is driven by the coordinated action of motor proteins and is a key area of research for understanding bacterial locomotion. From a genetic perspective, M. xanthus has a large and complex genome, which provides a rich resource for studying gene regulation, signal transduction, and the genetic basis of multicellular behavior. The organism's ability to undergo complex developmental processes and its predatory nature make it a valuable model for a wide range of biological studies, including those related to microbial ecology, evolution, and the development of new antibiotics.

Myxococcus xanthus is a fascinating soil-dwelling bacterium known for its complex social behavior and unique life cycle. This organism is particularly interesting due to its ability to exhibit multicellular behavior, forming fruiting bodies under nutrient-limiting conditions. These fruiting bodies can contain thousands of cells, showcasing a remarkable level of cooperation among individual bacteria. This cooperative behavior is not only a survival strategy but also a subject of extensive research into microbial communication and social interactions. One of the most striking features of Myxococcus xanthus is its predatory lifestyle. It preys on other bacteria, utilizing a sophisticated mechanism that involves the secretion of enzymes to lyse and digest its prey. This predatory behavior makes it a valuable model organism for studying microbial ecology and the dynamics of bacterial interactions in natural environments. The ability to hunt and consume other microorganisms highlights its role in nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning. Additionally, Myxococcus xanthus is a model organism for studying development and differentiation in bacteria. The transition from vegetative growth to the formation of fruiting bodies involves a series of well-coordinated genetic and biochemical changes, making it an excellent system for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular differentiation. Research on this organism has implications for understanding similar processes in higher organisms, including humans. Furthermore, Myxococcus xanthus has garnered attention for its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. It produces a variety of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and other secondary metabolites, which could be harnessed for pharmaceutical development. The exploration of these compounds could lead to new treatments for bacterial infections, particularly in an era of increasing antibiotic resistance. Overall, Myxococcus xanthus stands out as a remarkable organism that bridges the gap between microbial ecology, developmental biology, and biotechnology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Myxococcota

Class: Myxococcia

Order: Myxococcales

Family: Myxococcaceae

Genus: Myxococcus

Species: Myxococcus xanthus

NCBI ID

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/006/402/015/GCF_006402015.1_ASM640201v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_006402015.1_ASM640201v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The bacterium Myxococcus xanthus is primarily known for its unique social behavior and complex life cycle, which includes the formation of multicellular fruiting bodies. While it is not typically associated with human disease, its clinical relevance lies in its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. Notably, M. xanthus has been studied for its ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial agents that may have therapeutic potential against resistant pathogens. This organism exhibits a remarkable ability to degrade complex organic materials, which could be harnessed for environmental applications, such as bioremediation. In terms of pathogenicity, M. xanthus is generally considered non-pathogenic to humans; however, its interactions with other microorganisms in the human microbiome could influence health outcomes. Research into its role in microbial communities may provide insights into immune responses and the maintenance of gut health. Furthermore, its unique predatory behavior against other bacteria suggests potential applications in developing novel antimicrobial therapies. Despite its non-pathogenic nature, understanding the mechanisms of M. xanthus can contribute to the broader field of microbiology, particularly in studying microbial interactions and resistance mechanisms in complex ecosystems. Overall, while M. xanthus does not have direct clinical implications in terms of disease, its biotechnological potential and role in microbial ecology make it a subject of interest in medical research.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Myxococcus xanthus is a fascinating bacterium primarily found in soil ecosystems and decaying organic matter. This microorganism thrives in environments rich in nutrients, particularly in areas where organic material is abundant, such as forest floors and agricultural fields. Its ability to form complex multicellular structures during its life cycle allows it to adapt to varying conditions within these habitats. Soil Microhabitats: Within the soil, M. xanthus plays a crucial role in the decomposition of organic materials. It is known for its predatory behavior, feeding on other bacteria, which helps regulate microbial populations and contributes to nutrient cycling. This predatory lifestyle is essential for maintaining the balance of microbial communities in the soil. Symbiotic Relationships: M. xanthus can also engage in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms. For instance, it may cooperate with other bacteria to enhance nutrient acquisition or to form biofilms, which provide protection and stability in fluctuating environmental conditions. These interactions are vital for the overall health of the soil ecosystem. Environmental Adaptations: This bacterium exhibits remarkable adaptability to its environment. It can survive in varying moisture levels and temperatures, making it resilient in diverse habitat types. Its ability to form spores allows it to endure unfavorable conditions, ensuring its survival until conditions improve. In summary, Myxococcus xanthus is a key player in terrestrial biomes, particularly in nutrient-rich soils, where it contributes to decomposition, nutrient cycling, and microbial community dynamics.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Myxococcus xanthus has shown significant potential in various industrial applications due to its unique characteristics and metabolic capabilities. One of the most notable areas is biotechnology, where Myxococcus xanthus is utilized in the production of bioactive compounds through fermentation. This organism is known for its ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics and other bioactive molecules, which can be harnessed for pharmaceutical development. For instance, the antibiotic myxovirescin, derived from Myxococcus xanthus, has been studied for its effectiveness against certain bacterial infections. In the realm of waste management, Myxococcus xanthus plays a crucial role in biodegradation processes. Its predatory behavior allows it to effectively degrade complex organic materials, making it a candidate for bioremediation efforts aimed at cleaning up contaminated environments. This capability can be particularly useful in treating wastewater and reducing the environmental impact of industrial effluents. Furthermore, Myxococcus xanthus has been investigated for its potential in biofuel production. The organism's ability to metabolize various substrates can be leveraged in the conversion of biomass into biofuels, particularly through anaerobic digestion processes. This not only contributes to sustainable energy solutions but also aids in waste reduction. Overall, the diverse metabolic pathways and ecological roles of Myxococcus xanthus make it a valuable organism in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, waste management, and biofuel production, showcasing its versatility and importance in modern industrial applications.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 10

LLM predicted phenotypes: 3

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro
Motility	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Biofilm formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	false	true	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	true	true
Host association	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	TRUE	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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