Signatures of kin selection in a natural population of the bacteria Bacillus subtilis

Evolution Letters, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7(5), P. 315 - 330

Published: July 18, 2023

Laboratory experiments have suggested that bacteria perform a range of cooperative behaviors, which are favored because they directed toward relatives (kin selection). However, there is lack evidence for cooperation and kin selection in natural bacterial populations. Molecular population genetics offers promising method to study populations the theory predicts will lead relaxed selection, result increased polymorphism divergence at genes. Examining

Language: Английский

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Enhanced niche colonisation and competition during bacterial adaptation to a fungus

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 27, 2023

Abstract Bacterial-fungal interactions (BFIs) influence microbial community performance of most ecosystems and elicit specific behaviours, including stimulating specialised metabolite production. Using a simple BFI system encompassing the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis black mould fungus Aspergillus niger , we established co-culture experimental evolution method to investigate bacterial adaptation presence fungus. In evolving populations, B. was rapidly selected for enhanced production lipopeptide surfactin accelerated surface spreading ability, leading inhibition fungal expansion acidification environment. These phenotypes were explained by mutations in DegS-DegU two-component system. surfactin, hyphae exhibited bulging cells with delocalised secretory vesicles RlmA-dependent cell wall stress induction. Increased typically enhances competitive success bacteria against fungi, which likely explains primary adaption path A. . Significance statement Experimental co-cultivation different microbes are important useful techniques discovering new traits unravelling cryptic regulatory connections. We combined these methods that previously shown engage an intricate physical interaction. Both ubiquitous, environmentally industrially relevant model colonisation rhizo- endosphere enzymes. Our results demonstrate how laboratory can be exploited improve biocontrol properties bacteria.

Language: Английский

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Competition for iron shapes metabolic antagonism betweenBacillus subtilisandPseudomonas

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: June 12, 2023

Abstract Siderophores have long been implicated in sociomicrobiology as determinants of bacterial interrelations. For plant-associated genera like Bacillus and Pseudomonas , siderophores are well known for their biocontrol functions. Here, we explored the functional role subtilis siderophore bacillibactin an antagonistic interaction with marginalis . The presence strongly influenced outcome iron-dependent manner. producer B. restricts colony spreading P. by repressing transcription histidine kinase-encoding gene gacS thereby abolishing production secondary metabolites such pyoverdine viscosin. By contrast, lack restricted growth a mechanism reminiscent tug-of-war iron. Our analysis revealed that Bacillus-Pseudomonas is conserved across fluorescent spp., expanding our understanding interplay between two most well-studied soil microbes.

Language: Английский

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SOCfinder: a genomic tool for identifying social genes in bacteria

Microbial Genomics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 9(12)

Published: Dec. 20, 2023

Bacteria cooperate by working collaboratively to defend their colonies, share nutrients, and resist antibiotics. Nevertheless, our understanding of these remarkable behaviours primarily comes from studying a few well-characterized species. Consequently, there is significant gap in microbial social traits, particularly natural environments. To address this gap, we can use bioinformatic tools identify genes that control cooperative or otherwise traits. Existing challenge through two approaches. One approach encode extracellular proteins, which provide benefits neighbouring cells. An alternative predict gene function using annotation tools. However, have several limitations. Not all proteins are cooperative, not controlled proteins. Furthermore, existing functional methods frequently miss known genes. We introduce SOCfinder as new tool find bacterial combines information methods, considering if likely [] code for an protein [], annotation, be part the biosynthesis secondary metabolite. data on extensively-studied species ( P. aeruginosa B. subtilis ) show better at finding than also theory population genetics signature kin selection genes, lacking identified opens up number exciting directions future research, available download https://github.com/lauriebelch/SOCfinder .

Language: Английский

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The rise of cheats during experimental evolution is restricted by non-kin interactions between Bacillus subtilis soil isolates

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

Published: March 29, 2024

ABSTRACT Cooperative behaviors in human, animal, and even microbial societies are vulnerable to exploitation. Kin discrimination (KD) has been hypothesized help stabilize cooperation. However, the mechanisms that sustain cooperative behavior remain poorly understood. We here investigate role of KD limiting rise cheats during surfactant dependent swarming over surfaces by bacterium Bacillus subtilis as a model organism. show mixing secreting cooperators do not produce surfactants leads cooperation collapse. when such mixed swarms transiently encounter non-kin B. swarms, frequency nonproducers decreases, suggesting kinship interactions may limit cheats’ advantage. To further validate this hypothesis, we subjected wild-type co-operators transient encounters with kin 20 cycles experimental evolution. Evolved populations exposed exhibited lower occurrences genotypes defective phenotypes compared those encountering swarms. These results provide compelling support for prediction evolution bacterial is impeded providing proof its stabilizing behavior.

Language: Английский

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