Figure 1. OM exchange is strain specific.
A) Schematic for how OM exchange was scored. Donor cell OMs were labeled with either lipophilic or lipo (SSOM)-mCherry red fluorescent reporters. Transfer was determined by the ability of labeled green fluorescent recipient cells to turn red. B) Assessment of 16 independent M. xanthus isolates and a closely related M. fulvus species for their ability to exchange OM components. Distinct recognition groups are color coded. Donors and recipients indicate the direction of transfer. T, transfer; minus (−), no transfer; ±, poor transfer. Strain mixtures that were not tested are indicated as blank boxes.