Abstract Burkholderia terrae BS001 has previously been found to be able to disperse along with growing fungal hyphae in soil, with the type-3 secretion system having a supportive role in this movement.In this study, we focus animed aniflex complete on the role of two motility- and adherence-associated appendages, i.e.type-4 pili (T4P) and flagella.Electron microcopy and motility testing revealed that strain BS001 produces polar flagella and can swim on semi-solid R2A agar.
Flagellum- and T4P-negative mutants were then constructed to examine the ecological roles of the respective systems.Both in liquid media and on swimming agar, the mutant strains showed similar fitness to the wild-type strain in mixed culture.The flagellar mutant had completely lost its flagella, as well as its swimming capacity.It also lost its co-migration ability with two soil-exploring fungi, Lyophyllum sp.strain Karsten and Trichoderma asperellum 302, in soil microcosms.
In contrast, the T4P mutant showed reduced surface merlot redbud tree for sale twitching motility, whereas its co-migration ability in competition with the wild-type strain was slightly reduced.We conclude that the co-migration of strain BS001 with fungal hyphae through soil is dependent on the presence of functional flagella conferring swimming motility, with the T4P system having a minor effect.