tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post3549105626398174044..comments2023-10-31T03:18:31.206-04:00Comments on BacterioFiles: BacterioFiles 331 - Password Protein Poisons PairingsJesse Noarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03914531060781205087noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post-65585335191070979122018-03-18T21:21:42.519-04:002018-03-18T21:21:42.519-04:00Myxococcus is pretty unique in its ability to shar...Myxococcus is pretty unique in its ability to share outer membrane contents with each other. However, lots of different kinds do produce antibacterial toxins to reduce competition from other bacteria. Many of the antibiotics we have used in medicine were discovered being produced by bacteria, particularly the genus Streptomyces, and genes antibiotic resistance (the "immunity" half of the pairing) have been around since before we started using antibiotics, found in all kinds of different environments.<br /><br />Here's a pretty interesting example of one kind of bacteria producing toxins to kill others and steal their genes: https://uclouvain.be/en/discover/news/des-bacteries-cannibales-pour-lutter-contre-les-bacteries-resistantes-aux-antibiotiques.htmlJesse Noarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03914531060781205087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post-78270676965892165122018-03-18T17:15:11.682-04:002018-03-18T17:15:11.682-04:00Is the Myxococcus xanthus the only bacteria that u...Is the Myxococcus xanthus the only bacteria that uses passive immunity and toxicity for collaboration and survival of it's own species? Or is common with other strands of bacteria as well?Feather Waffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093357050596314711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post-1268229197359112732018-03-18T17:13:18.394-04:002018-03-18T17:13:18.394-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Feather Waffordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093357050596314711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post-11970113303982435782018-03-12T20:43:57.728-04:002018-03-12T20:43:57.728-04:00Yes, in fact, whereas many genes can be transferre...Yes, in fact, whereas many genes can be transferred horizontally through bacteriophage, DNA uptake, conjugation, etc., these toxin and immunity genes of M. xanthus seem to be spread around at a higher rate than usual. The reason is likely that once they are incorporated into the genome, they are not lost since deletion would mean that that cell is killed by its neighbors (it has lost its immunity). Its a selfish and addictive DNA element so-to-speak. If by other microbes you mean non-Myxobacteria, then it doesn't matter because Myxo doesn't use this system to attack non-Myxobacteria. The best example of an interspecies bacterial weapon is the type VI secretion system, I suggest you look into it if you're interested... its really quite a cool tool that many gram-negative bacteria use for competition.Chris Vassallonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150621970999626802.post-11235294100468033092018-03-12T13:19:18.076-04:002018-03-12T13:19:18.076-04:00Could the immunity genes be transfered into other ...Could the immunity genes be transfered into other microbes to successfully make them immune to the toxins that are being produced by Myxococcus xanthus?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com