Helical growth of Bacillus subtilis: a new model of cell growth.

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Abstract
A multiple mutant of B. subtilis that grows in an unusual double-helix morphology was studied. Construction of models led to the assumption that cell surface elongation must proceed in a helical path in this mutant. The observation that all newly formed double-helix clones propagated, after spore outgrowth in fluid culture, consisted of closed-circular structures suggested that double-helix structures are tension-restricted forms. Normal rod-shaped cells may also elongate in a helical manner. A new mode of cell organization and growth was formulated based upon this concept. Helical elongation of a cylinder causes the poles to rotate away from one another in opposite directions during growth. Locking the cylinder at 2 points to prevent rotation results in the development of torque capable of distorting the cylinder into a helical morphology similar to that observed. Details of this new model were explored.