Figure 6. M. xanthus Development Is Affected by Expression of CrdS Kinase and Phosphatase Mutant Proteins.

M. xanthus development was initiated by spotting cells on CF starvation media. CrdS-WT, E372A, N375A, and E372A/N375A mutant proteins were expressed in ΔcrdS cells using the constitutively active pilA promoter after stable integration at the Mx8 phage attachment site. Each picture is taken at 50× magnification at the time points indicated (in hours, top). M. xanthus development is evident by formation of phase dark aggregates which mature into fruiting bodies.