Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Preprints |
| DOI | 10.1101/2023.10.08.561388 |
| Title (Primary) | Evolution of genotypic and phenotypic diversity in multispecies biofilms |
| Author | Amador, C.I.; Moscovitz, S.Z.; Maccario, L.; Herschend, J.; Kramer, I.-S.; Jeckel, H.; Cooper, V.S.; Drescher, K.; Neu, T.R.; Burmølle, M.; Røder, H.L. |
| Source Titel | bioRxiv |
| Year | 2023 |
| Department | FLOEK |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Abstract | Interactions occurring in microbial communities can affect the fitness and adaptability of their individual members when facing changing environmental conditions. This study investigated the impact of interspecies interactions in selecting Bacillus thuringiensis variants emerging in biofilm and planktonic environments. During evolution experiments, a B. thuringiensis distinct phenotypic variant of B. thuringiensis frequently occurred, despite the presence of other species or culture setup. Remarkably, selection of this variant was significantly favored over its ancestor in biofilm settings and when coexisting with other species co-isolated from a wastewater facility, namely Pseudomonas defluvii and Pseudomonas brenneri. Interestingly, the evolved phenotype did not show higher biofilm productivity than its ancestor under any condition, while it was indeed reduced in mixed-species biofilms. Such observation aligned with the reduced abundance of matrix proteins TasA and SpoVG, which are major biofilm matrix components in Bacillus species, as revealed by matrix proteomics analysis. Furthermore, the variant showed shorter generation time and a lack of sporulation compared to its ancestor, consistent with mutations in key genes for regulating sporulation. Our results indicate that interspecies interactions within biofilms promote B. thuringiensis diversification and alter traits such as biofilm matrix production. Despite sporulation being a survival mechanism, this study provides evidence that sporulation does not confer a fitness advantage in in vitro biofilm environments, even within mixed cultures. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28071 |
| Amador, C.I., Moscovitz, S.Z., Maccario, L., Herschend, J., Kramer, I.-S., Jeckel, H., Cooper, V.S., Drescher, K., Neu, T.R., Burmølle, M., Røder, H.L. (2023): Evolution of genotypic and phenotypic diversity in multispecies biofilms bioRxiv 10.1101/2023.10.08.561388 |
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