Non-flagellar swimming in marine Synechococcus

J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol. 1999 Aug;1(1):59-62.

Abstract

Certain marine unicellular cyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcus exhibit a unique type of swimming motility characterized by the absence of flagella and of any other obvious organelle of motility. Although the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon remains mysterious, recent advances have included the development of testable models as well as the identification of a cell-surface polypeptide that is required for the generation of thrust. These developments, as well as the future research directions they suggest, are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / physiology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Cyanobacteria / physiology*
  • Flagella / physiology
  • Models, Biological

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • SwmA protein, Synechococcus