Behaviors and Energy Source of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Gliding

Abstract

Mycoplasmas, the smallest bacteria, are parasitic and occasionally commensal. Mycoplasma gallisepticum is related to human-pathogenic mycoplasmas— Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Mycoplasma genitalium —which cause so-called “walking pneumonia” and nongonococcal urethritis, respectively. These mycoplasmas trap sialylated oligosaccharides, which are common targets among influenza viruses, on host trachea or urinary tract surfaces and glide to enlarge the infected areas. Interestingly, this gliding motility is not related to other bacterial motilities or eukaryotic motilities. Here, we quantitatively analyze cell behaviors in gliding and clarify the direct energy source. The results provide clues for elucidating this unique motility mechanism.