Fig. 2

The genetic complementation analysis of the bcsA and bcsB genes in transposon mutant SZM19, SZM6 and SZM25. a The genetic complementation analysis of the bcsA in trans in the mutants SZM19. Plasmid-borne wild-type bcsA gene restored the phenotype of the SZM19 mutant to floc formation, similar to that of the wild-type strain carrying the empty vector. (1) Wild-type strain with the pBBR1MCS-2 empty vector, visualized under a microscope after staining with crystal violet solution. (2) SZM19 mutant with pBBR1MCS-2. (3) SZM19 mutant with pBBR1MCS-2-bcsA construct. (4) Photograph of agitated bacterial cultures (culture tubes contain bacteria from panels (1) to (3), from left to right). (5) Photograph of settled bacterial cultures. b The genetic complementation analysis of the bcsB in trans in mutants SZM6. (1) Wild-type strain with the pBBR1MCS-2 empty vector, visualized under a microscope. (2) SZM6 mutant with pBBR1MCS-2. (3) SZM6 mutant with pBBR1MCS-2-bcsB construct. (4) Photograph of agitated culture (culture tubes contain bacteria from panels (1) to (3), from left to right). (5) Photograph of settled bacterial cultures. c The cellulose biosynthesis gene cluster of Shinella zoogloeodies ATCC 19623 strain and the genes disrupted by insertions of the mariner transposon, mapped in the transposon mutants deficient for bacterial floc formation