Figure 2. Motility of fliHIJ mutants is increased by mutations in ΔatpA, ΔflgM, ΔclpX and fliA ^H14D.

Null mutations in atpA, flgM, clpX, and the more stable FliA^H14D variant increased motility of fliHIJ mutant strains in a swimming motility assay using 0.3% soft agar plates. (A) Representative soft agar motility plates after 4.5 hours incubation at 37°C of the FliC-phase locked wildtype and fliHIJ mutant strains. n.d., not determined. (B) Quantified relative motility of fliHIJ mutant strains. The diameter of the motility swarm relative to the wildtype was measured after 4.5 hours incubation. Biological replicates are shown as individual data points. Data were analyzed by the Student's t test. Stars indicate significantly different motility (*, P<0.05; **, P<0.01; ***, P<0.001).