Identification and Characterization of the Myxococcus xanthus argE Gene

The chromosomal acetylornithine deacetylase (argE) gene of Myxococcus xanthus was identified via homology to acetylornithine deacetylases from other bacterial species. A mutant carrying a disruption in argE was unable to grow on minimal media lacking supplemental arginine and formed fruiting bodies and spores in response to arginine starvation at high cell density.