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Local polar order controls mechanical stress and triggers layer formation in Myxococcus xanthus colonies

Author

Listed:
  • Endao Han

    (Princeton University
    Nanyang Technological University)

  • Chenyi Fei

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

  • Ricard Alert

    (Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
    Center for Systems Biology Dresden
    TU Dresden)

  • Katherine Copenhagen

    (Princeton University)

  • Matthias D. Koch

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

  • Ned S. Wingreen

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

  • Joshua W. Shaevitz

    (Princeton University
    Princeton University)

Abstract

Colonies of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus go through a morphological transition from a thin colony of cells to three-dimensional droplet-like fruiting bodies as a strategy to survive starvation. The biological pathways that control the decision to form a fruiting body have been studied extensively. However, the mechanical events that trigger the creation of multiple cell layers and give rise to droplet formation remain poorly understood. By measuring cell orientation, velocity, polarity, and force with cell-scale resolution, we reveal a stochastic local polar order in addition to the more obvious nematic order. Average cell velocity and active force at topological defects agree with predictions from active nematic theory, but their fluctuations are substantially larger than the mean due to polar active forces generated by the self-propelled rod-shaped cells. We find that M. xanthus cells adjust their reversal frequency to tune the magnitude of this local polar order, which in turn controls the mechanical stresses and triggers layer formation in the colonies.

Suggested Citation

  • Endao Han & Chenyi Fei & Ricard Alert & Katherine Copenhagen & Matthias D. Koch & Ned S. Wingreen & Joshua W. Shaevitz, 2025. "Local polar order controls mechanical stress and triggers layer formation in Myxococcus xanthus colonies," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-10, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-55806-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55806-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kyogo Kawaguchi & Ryoichiro Kageyama & Masaki Sano, 2017. "Topological defects control collective dynamics in neural progenitor cell cultures," Nature, Nature, vol. 545(7654), pages 327-331, May.
    2. Thuan Beng Saw & Amin Doostmohammadi & Vincent Nier & Leyla Kocgozlu & Sumesh Thampi & Yusuke Toyama & Philippe Marcq & Chwee Teck Lim & Julia M. Yeomans & Benoit Ladoux, 2017. "Topological defects in epithelia govern cell death and extrusion," Nature, Nature, vol. 544(7649), pages 212-216, April.
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