The motors powering a-motility in Myxococcus xanthus are distributed along the cell body

Two models have been proposed to explain the adventurous gliding motility of Myxococcus xanthus: (i) polar secretion of slime and (ii) an unknown motor that uses cell surface adhesion complexes that form periodic attachments along the cell length. Gliding movements of the leading poles of cephalexin-treated filamentous cells were observed but not equivalent movements of the lagging poles. This demonstrates that the adventurous-motility motors are not confined to the rear of the cell.