Emerging models to study competitive interactions within bacterial communities

Trends in Microbiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Within both abiotic and host environments, bacteria typically exist as diverse, multispecies communities have crucial roles in human health, agriculture, industry. In these communities, compete for resources, competitive interactions can shape the overall population structure community function. Studying bacterial dynamics requires experimental model systems that capture different interaction networks between their surroundings. We examine recent literature advancing such systems, including (i) silico models establishing theoretical basis how cell-to-cell influence level dynamics, (ii) vitro characterizing specific interbacterial interactions, (iii) organ-on-a-chip revealing physiologically relevant parameters, spatial mechanical forces, encounter within a host, (iv) vivo plant animal connecting responses to interactions. Each of has greatly contributed our understanding be used synergistically understand competition influences architecture.

Language: Английский

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Mechanism of bacterial predation via ixotrophy

Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 386(6719)

Published: Oct. 17, 2024

Ixotrophy is a contact-dependent predatory strategy of filamentous bacteria in aquatic environments for which the molecular mechanism remains unknown. We show that predator-prey contact can be established by gliding motility or extracellular assemblages we call "grappling hooks." Cryo-electron microscopy identified grappling hooks as heptamers type IX secretion system substrate. After close established, cryo-electron tomography and functional assays showed puncturing VI mediated killing. Single-cell analyses with stable isotope-labeled prey revealed components are taken up attacker. Depending on nutrient availability, insertion sequence elements toggle activity ixotrophy. A marine metagenomic time series shows coupled dynamics ixotrophic prey. found ixotrophy involves multiple cellular machineries, conserved, may shape microbial populations environment.

Language: Английский

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Evaporation controls contact-dependent bacterial killing during surface-associated growth

ISME Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Many bacteria employ contact-dependent killing mechanisms, which require direct physical contact with a target cell, to gain an advantage over competitors. Here, we hypothesize that evaporation-induced fluid flows determine the number of contacts between attacking and cells, thus controlling efficacy. To test this, experimentally manipulated strength coffee ring effect (CRE) measured consequences on mediated by type VI secretion system (T6SS). The CRE is caused move water cells from center periphery liquid droplet, consequently concentrating at periphery. We found significantly increases (Vibrio cholerae) (Escherichia coli) enhances ability V. cholerae kill out-compete E. coli. corroborated our findings individual-based computational simulations demonstrated increased cell densities droplet increase killing. further T6SS firing rate, lethal hit threshold, lysis delay affect when strong. Our results underscore importance in shaping bacterial interactions competitive outcomes.

Language: Английский

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Microbiology: Murder as a solution to promiscuity?

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(11), P. R539 - R541

Published: June 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Chimeric aggregative multicellularity in absence of kin discrimination

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Dec. 4, 2024

Aggregative multicellularity is a cooperative strategy employed by some microorganisms. Unlike clonal expansion within protected environments during multicellular eukaryotic development, an aggregation introduces the potential for genetic conflicts and exploitation cheaters, threatening stability of social system.

Language: Английский

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