Collaboration of FlhF and FlhG to regulate polar-flagella number and localization in Vibrio alginolyticus

Precise regulation of the number and placement of flagella is critical for the mono-polar-flagellated bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus to swim efficiently. We have shown previously that the number of polar flagella is positively regulated by FlhF and negatively regulated by FIhG. We now show that Delta flhF cells are non-flagellated as are most Delta flhFG cells; however, some of the Delta flhFG cells have several flagella at lateral positions. We found that FlhF-GFP was localized at the flagellated pole, and its polar localization was seen more intensely in Delta flhFG cells. On the other hand, most of the FlhG-GFP was diffused throughout the cytoplasm, although some was localized at the pole. To investigate the FlhF-FlhG interaction, immunoprecipitation was performed by using an anti-FlhF antibody, and FIhG co-precipitated with FlhF. From these results we propose a model in which FlhF localization at the pole determines polar location and production of a flagellum, FIhG interacts with FlhF to prevent FlhF from localizing at the pole, and thus FIhG negatively regulates flagellar number in V alginolyticus cells.