L. Sogaard-Andersen

Combinatorial control of type IVa pili formation by the four polarized regulators MglA, SgmX, FrzS and SopA

This study identifies the combinatorial regulation of T4aP formation in M. xanthus through interactions between MglA, SgmX, FrzS, and SopA, showing how these proteins coordinate polar localization and function.

A deterministic, c-di-GMP-dependent genetic program ensures the generation of phenotypically similar, symmetric daughter cells during cytokinesis

Large pilin subunits provide distinct structural and mechanical properties for the Myxococcus xanthus type IV pilus

This study solves the structure of Myxococcus xanthus type IV pilus and shows its increased rigidity due to a large C-terminal domain in PilA, enhancing motility on varied surfaces.

The mechanism for polar localization of the type IVa pilus machine

This paper investigates how the T4aP machine is polarly localized in M. xanthus, showing that PilQ's AMIN domains bind peptidoglycan to enable Tgl recruitment, which drives secretin multimerization.

During heat stress in Myxococcus xanthus, the CdbS PilZ domain protein, along with two PilZ-DnaK chaperones, perturbs chromosome organization and accelerates cell death

The paper shows that in Myxococcus xanthus, CdbA regulates CdbS levels to maintain chromosome organization, and its depletion leads to CdbS over-accumulation, causing cell death, especially under heat stress.

Molecular basis and design principles of a system for switchable front-rear polarity and directional migration

The paper identifies a feedback mechanism in Myxococcus xanthus that regulates front-rear polarity through a toggle switch involving MglA, RomR, MglB, and MglC.

A phase-separated biomolecular condensate nucleates polymerization of the tubulin homolog FtsZ to spatiotemporally regulate bacterial cell division

The paper shows PomY forms liquid-like condensates that nucleate FtsZ polymerization, guiding bacterial cell division site positioning through surface-assisted condensation.

Evidence for a widespread third system for bacterial polysaccharide export across the outer membrane comprising a composite OPX/β-barrel translocon

The paper identifies a novel composite translocon for polysaccharide export in Gram-negative bacteria, composed of EpsX and EpsY, and shows its widespread presence across species.

A bipartite, low-affinity roadblock domain-containing GAP complex regulates bacterial front-rear polarity

The paper identifies RomY as a co-GAP that forms a low-affinity complex with MglB to spatially restrict MglB GAP activity to the lagging pole, maintaining front-rear polarity in Myxococcus xanthus.

The CRP-like transcriptional regulator MrpC curbs c-di-GMP and 3,3 cGAMP nucleotide levels during development in Myxococcus xanthus

This paper identifies MrpC as a key regulator of c-di-GMP and 3,3 cGAMP levels during development in Myxococcus xanthus by directly controlling the expression of dmxB and pmxA.

A repurposed, non-canonical cytochrome c, chaperones calcium binding by PilY1 for type IVa pili formation

The paper identifies a non-canonical cytochrome c, TfcP, that binds calcium to stabilize PilY1.1, enabling T4aP function across a broader range of calcium concentrations.

Three PilZ domain proteins, PlpA, PixA and PixB, have distinct functions in regulation of motility and development in Myxococcus xanthus

The paper identifies and characterizes three PilZ domain proteins in Myxococcus xanthus, showing they have distinct roles in regulating motility and development through c-di-GMP signaling.

PomX, a ParA/MinD ATPase activating protein, is a triple regulator of cell division in Myxococcus xanthus

This study identifies PomX as a triple regulator of cell division in Myxococcus xanthus, showing it interacts with PomZ, self-interacts, and scaffolds the PomX/Y/Z complex to position the FtsZ-ring.

SMC and the bactofilin/PadC scaffold have distinct yet redundant functions in chromosome segregation and organization in Myxococcus xanthus

This study shows that SMC and the BacNOP/PadC scaffold have distinct yet redundant roles in chromosome segregation in Myxococcus xanthus, with SMC supporting daughter chromosome individualization and the scaffold enhancing ParABS robustness.

Four different mechanisms for switching cell polarity

The paper identifies four distinct mechanisms for signal-induced polarity switching in cells using a mathematical model of a core polarity system.

Characterization of the exopolysaccharide biosynthesis pathway in Myxococcus xanthus

This paper characterizes the exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis pathway in Myxococcus xanthus, identifying key enzymes and showing their role in motility and fruiting body formation.