Correlation between glycosylation of flagellin proteins and sensitivity of flagellar filaments to Triton X-100 in methanogens

The flagellins of Methanospirillum hungatei strains JF1 and GP1, Methanococcus deltae, and Methanothermus fervidus are glycosylated. Isolated flagellar filaments from these organisms are dissociated by low concentrations (0.5% (v/v)) of Triton X-100. Flagellar filaments from other methanogens (Methanococcus voltae, Methanococcus vannielii and Methanoculleus marisnigri) composed of non-glycosylated flagellins are resistant to Triton X-100 treatment. Consequently, the isolation techniques (employing Triton X-100) used to isolate basal body-hook-filament complexes in eubacteria may not be applicable to many methanogens.