Figure 1.

Cell cycle and holdfast synthesis of C. crescentus and H. baltica

(A) Diagram of the C. crescentus dimorphic cell cycle. A motile swarmer cell differentiates into a stalked cell by shedding the flagellum, retracting the pili, and synthesizing a holdfast-tipped stalk at the same cell pole. C. crescentus stalked cells divide asymmetrically to produce a motile swarmer cell and a surface-adherent stalked cell.

(B) Diagram of the H. baltica dimorphic cell cycle. A motile swarmer cell differentiates into a stalked cell by shedding its flagellum and synthesizing holdfast at the same cell pole. At the opposite pole, a budding stalk is synthesized that is used to bud a new motile swarmer cell.