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Objective: Purpose of this work was to screen myxobacteria from soils and study their biological activities towards pathogenic bacteria, tumor cells and insects., Methods: Through inactivated E. coli and filter paper inducing methods, we isolated and purified myxobacteria from soil samples. Then we identified these purified strains based on morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and the 16S rDNA sequences homologous analysis. By plate diffusion experiments, oral toxicity tests and tetrazolium assays, we investigated the biological activities of the myxobacterial culture supernatant., Results: We isolated 35 myxobacterial strains and classified them as 4 genera: Myxococcus (9), Corallococcus (9), Nannocystis (11) and Sorangium (6). Eight purified myxobacteria were identified and named. Cytotoxicity tests show that strain C. macrospores S22 had potent and broad-spectrum cytotoxic effect on tumor cell lines including B16, 4T1, HeLa and HCT-116, so did the strains M. fulvus S51, C. exiguus S22 and M. Xanthus S55. Additionally, C. macrospores S22 also shows inhibitory activity to pathogenic bacteria Bacillus subtillis and Candida albicans., Conclusion: Myxobacteria are widely distributed in natural soils. C. macrosporus has potent toxicity against cancer cells and pathogenic bacteria; and C. exiguus with antitumor activity. The myxobacterial strains are promising resources for discovery and development of new active natural products and drugs.

Objective: We isolated myxobacteria and explored their diversity from the rhizosphere soils of some medicinal plants., Methods: We used the helper bacteria baiting technique to isolate myxobacteria from the rhizosphere soils collected in South China Botanical Garden and Nanling National Forest Park. The myxobacteria were identified by morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA gene sequences analysis., Results: A total of 50 strains were isolated from 22 soil samples, which were identified into 7 genera, Myxococcus (18), Corallococcus (11), Cystobacter (7), Archangium (8), Stigmatella (1), Chondromyces (4) and Pyxidicoccus (1). The dominant genera were Myxococcus and Corallococcus., Conclusion: Environmental factors were associated with the diversity of myxobactria. Myxobacteria better adapt in high organic matter content and neutral pH environments. The strains of Myxococcus and Corallococcus had a good adaptability for different pH. Meanwhile, the dependence of the strains of Myxococcus and Cystobacter on organic carbon content was not too obvious, and they can also be found in the poor soils. Our findings provided an important scientific base for the development and utilization of myxobacteria resources.

Objective: To isolate myxobacteria and investigate their diversity in saline-alkaline soils from Akesu in Xinjiang., Methods: Conventional culture-dependent methods, e. g. baiting technique, water agar, soil extract agar and mineral agar, were used to isolate myxobacteria from 25 soil samples collected from Akesu areas of Xinjiang. Combining with physicochemical properties (acidity/alkalinity, salt concentration, vegetation and geographical locations) of the soil samples, myxobacterial diversity was studied., Results: In total 58 strains were isolated, and identified as belonging to 6 different genera, i.e. Myxococcus, Cystobacter, Corallococcus, Sorangium, Nannocystis and Polyangium of Myxococcales. The most frequent genus isolated was Myxococcus which may better adapt in harsh environments. Different myxobacterial diversity was detected in different habitat., Conclusion: Myxobacteria diversity was low in saline-alkaline soils of Akesu in Xinjiang.

Objective: Using the 16S rRNA or HSP60 gene sequences to identify the myxobacteria taxa at the levels of species and genus, which were difficult to be classified by their morphological characteristics., Methods: 15 myxobacterial strains were isolated using the traditional isolation methods, and classified based on their morphological characteristics. The 16S rRNA and HSP60 gene sequences were amplified by PCR methods, and phylogenetically analyzed., Results: Eleven strains possessed typical morphological characteristics, while the other four strains 0085-4, 0121-3, NM03 and Myx9736 were degenerated of fruiting body structures in different extents. The strains were classified into the suborder Cystobacterineae, located in three genera of two families based on their morphological characteristics. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were 95.4% to 99.5% homology, which were in good consistence with the classification of the morphology-based genera; while the HSP60 gene sequences were in longer phylogenetic distances., Conclusion: The present morphology-based classification of myxobacteria is highly consistent with the phylogenetic results of 16S rRNA gene sequences at the levels of genera or higher taxa; while HSP60 gene sequences provides a more efficient method for identification of closely related myxobacteria species.

This paper reported that the authors isolated large numbers of myxobacteria from more than 100 samples collected in many places of China. More than 400 pure strains were obtained. These strains belonged to 10 genera of Myxococcales. The most frequent genera isolated were Myxococcus, Sorangium, Corallococcus, and Cystobacter. Melittangium was seldom isolated. No Chondromyces and Haploangium were found.