DPANN archaea are a diverse group of microorganisms that are thought to rely on an ectosymbiotic lifestyle; however, the cell biology of these cell–cell interactions remains largely unknown. We applied live-cell imaging and cryo-electron tomography to the DPANN archaeon Nanobdella aerobiophila and its host, revealing two distinct life cycle stages. Free cells possess archaella and are motile. Ectobiotic cells are intimately linked with the host through an elaborate attachment organelle. Our data suggest that free cells may actively seek a new host, while the ectobiotic state is adapted to mediate intricate interaction with the host.

中文翻译：

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外共生 DPANN 古菌的不同生命周期阶段

DPANN 古细菌是一群多样化的微生物，被认为依赖于外共生的生活方式；然而，这些细胞间相互作用的细胞生物学仍然很大程度上未知。我们将活细胞成像和冷冻电子断层扫描应用于 DPANN 古菌 Nanobdella aerobiophila 及其宿主，揭示了两个不同的生命周期阶段。游离细胞具有古细菌并且具有运动能力。外生细胞通过复杂的附着细胞器与宿主紧密相连。我们的数据表明，游离细胞可能会积极寻找新的宿主，而胞外状态则适应介导与宿主的复杂相互作用。