Cytophaga hutchinsonii

Cytophaga hutchinsonii glides across surfaces faster than any other bacterium—up to 15 micrometers per second. This remarkable motility, combined with powerful cellulolytic capabilities, makes C. hutchinsonii one of the most effective cellulose degraders in soil. The bacterium literally runs across plant debris, secreting enzymes that break down the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Understanding how it moves and digests has implications for both basic biology and biofuel production.

The gliding mechanism remained mysterious for decades. C. hutchinsonii has no flagella, no pili, no obvious locomotory structures. Recent research suggests the bacterium uses a unique mechanism involving mobile cell surface proteins that somehow generate propulsive force. Whatever the mechanism, it enables movement without the social coordination that myxobacteria use—C. hutchinsonii glides alone, each cell independently pursuing cellulose.

Cellulose degradation by C. hutchinsonii differs from fungal or other bacterial approaches. Most cellulolytic organisms secrete enzymes that diffuse away, creating a 'public good' that benefits any nearby organism. C. hutchinsonii keeps its cellulases tethered to the cell surface, ensuring that breakdown products are immediately available to the producing cell. This 'selfish' strategy prevents exploitation by non-cellulolytic competitors. The combination of rapid movement and private enzyme systems makes C. hutchinsonii an efficient individual competitor rather than a cooperative community member.