1
|
Danevčič T, Spacapan M, Dragoš A, Kovács ÁT, Mandic-Mulec I. DegQ is an important policing link between quorum sensing and regulated adaptative traits in Bacillus subtilis. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0090823. [PMID: 37676037 PMCID: PMC10581247 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00908-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a widespread bacterial communication system that controls important adaptive traits in a cell density-dependent manner. However, mechanisms by which QS-regulated traits are linked within the cell and mechanisms by which these links affect adaptation are not well understood. In this study, Bacillus subtilis was used as a model bacterium to investigate the link between the ComQXPA QS system, DegQ, surfactin and protease production in planktonic and biofilm cultures. The work tests two alternative hypotheses predicting that hypersensitivity of the QS signal-deficient mutant (comQ::kan) to exogenously added ComX, resulting in increased surfactin production, is linked to an additional genetic locus, or alternatively, to overexpression of the ComX receptor ComP. Results are in agreement with the first hypothesis and show that the P srfAA hypersensitivity of the comQ::kan mutant is linked to a 168 strain-specific mutation in the P degQ region. Hence, the markerless ΔcomQ mutant lacking this mutation is not overresponsive to ComX. Such hyper-responsiveness is specific for the P srfAA and not detected in another ComX-regulated promoter, the P aprE , which is under the positive control by DegQ. Our results suggest that DegQ by exerting differential effect on P srfAA and P aprE acts as a policing mechanism and the intracellular link, which guards the cell from an overinvestment into surfactin production. IMPORTANCE DegQ levels are known to regulate surfactin synthesis and extracellular protease production, and DegQ is under the control of the ComX-dependent QS. DegQ also serves as an important policing link between these QS-regulated processes, preventing overinvestment in these costly processes. This work highlights the importance of DegQ, which acts as the intracellular link between ComX production and the response by regulating extracellular degradative enzyme synthesis and surfactin production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Danevčič
- Department of Microbiology, Chair of microbial ecology and physiology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mihael Spacapan
- Department of Microbiology, Chair of microbial ecology and physiology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Department of Microbiology, Chair of microbial ecology and physiology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ákos T. Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ines Mandic-Mulec
- Department of Microbiology, Chair of microbial ecology and physiology, University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miernikiewicz P, Barylski J, Wilczak A, Dragoš A, Rybicka I, Bałdysz S, Szymczak A, Dogsa I, Rokush K, Harhala MA, Ciekot J, Ferenc S, Gnus J, Witkiewicz W, Dąbrowska K. New Phage-Derived Antibacterial Enzyme PolaR Targeting Rothia spp. Cells 2023; 12:1997. [PMID: 37566076 PMCID: PMC10417112 DOI: 10.3390/cells12151997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Rothia is an opportunistic pathogen, particularly life-threatening for the immunocompromised. It is associated with pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis and many other serious infections, including septicemia. Of note, Rothia mucilaginousa produces metabolites that support and increase overgrowth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the ESKAPE bacteria. Endolysins are considered as antibacterial enzymes derived from bacteriophages that selectively and efficiently kill susceptible bacteria without harming human cells or the normal microbiome. Here, we applied a computational analysis of metagenomic sequencing data of the gastric mucosa phageome extracted from human patients' stomach biopsies. A selected candidate anti-Rothia sequence was produced in an expression system, purified and confirmed as a Rothia mucilaginosa- and Rothia dentocariosa-specific endolysin PolaR, able to destroy bacterial cells even when aggregated, as in a biofilm. PolaR had no cytotoxic or antiproliferative effects on mammalian cells. PolaR is the first described endolysin selectively targeting Rothia species, with a high potential to combat infections caused by Rothia mucilaginosa and Rothia dentocariosa, and possibly other bacterial groups. PolaR is the first antibacterial enzyme selected from the gastric mucosa phageome, which underlines the biological complexity and probably underestimated biological role of the phageome in the human gastric mucosa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Miernikiewicz
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Jakub Barylski
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland; (J.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Aleksandra Wilczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.D.); (I.D.)
| | - Izabela Rybicka
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Sophia Bałdysz
- Department of Molecular Virology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 61-712 Poznań, Poland; (J.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Aleksander Szymczak
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Iztok Dogsa
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.D.); (I.D.)
| | - Kostiantyn Rokush
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Marek Adam Harhala
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Jarosław Ciekot
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
| | - Stanisław Ferenc
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, 51-124 Wrocław, Poland; (S.F.); (J.G.); (W.W.)
| | - Jan Gnus
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, 51-124 Wrocław, Poland; (S.F.); (J.G.); (W.W.)
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Wrocław Medical University, 50-367 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Wojciech Witkiewicz
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, 51-124 Wrocław, Poland; (S.F.); (J.G.); (W.W.)
| | - Krystyna Dąbrowska
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 53-114 Wrocław, Poland; (A.W.); (I.R.); (A.S.); (K.R.); (M.A.H.); (J.C.); (K.D.)
- Research and Development Center, Regional Specialist Hospital in Wrocław, 51-124 Wrocław, Poland; (S.F.); (J.G.); (W.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Floccari VA, Dragoš A. Host control by SPβ phage regulatory switch as potential manipulation strategy. Curr Opin Microbiol 2023; 71:102260. [PMID: 36580707 DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2022.102260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between temperate phages and their bacterial hosts has always been one of the most controversial in nature. As genetic parasites, phages need their hosts to propagate, while the host may take advantage of the genetic arsenal carried in the phage genome. This intriguing host-parasite interplay with an evident mutualistic implication could be challenged by recent discoveries of alternative phage lifestyles and regulatory systems that seem to support a manipulative strategy pursued by the phage. Through two fascinating novel mechanisms concerning the active lysogeny and a phage-encoded quorum sensing system, referred as 'Arbitrium', employed by SPβ-like phages of Bacilli, we propose the parasite manipulation as ecological relationship between certain temperate phages and bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina A Floccari
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Butala M, Dragoš A. Unique relationships between phages and endospore-forming hosts. Trends Microbiol 2022; 31:498-510. [PMID: 36535834 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
As part of their survival strategy under harsh environmental conditions, endospore-forming bacteria can trigger a sporulation developmental program. Although the regulatory cascades that precisely control the transformation of vegetative bacteria into mother cells and resilient spores have been described in detail, less is known about how bacteriophages that prey on endospore-formers exploit sporulation. Herein, we argue that phages infecting these bacteria have evolved several specific molecular mechanisms, not yet known in other bacteria, that manifest from the phage-driven alliance to negative effects on the host. We anticipate that the relationships between phages and endospore-formers outlined here will inspire studies on phage ecology and evolution, and could facilitate important advances in the development of phage therapies against pathogenic spore-formers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matej Butala
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Department of Microbiology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kohm K, Floccari VA, Lutz VT, Nordmann B, Mittelstädt C, Poehlein A, Dragoš A, Commichau FM, Hertel R. The Bacillus phage SPβ and its relatives: a temperate phage model system reveals new strains, species, prophage integration loci, conserved proteins and lysogeny management components. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2098-2118. [PMID: 35293111 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Bacillus phage SPβ has been known for about 50 years, but only a few strains are available. We isolated four new wild-type strains of the SPbeta species. Phage vB_BsuS-Goe14 introduces its prophage into the spoVK locus, previously not observed to be used by SPβ-like phages. Sequence data revealed the genome replication strategy and the genome packaging mode of SPβ-like phages. We extracted 55 SPβ-like prophages from public Bacillus genomes, thereby discovering three more integration loci and one additional type of integrase. The identified prophages resemble four new species clusters and three species orphans in the genus Spbetavirus. The determined core proteome of all SPβ-like prophages consists of 38 proteins. The integration cassette proved to be not conserved, even though, present in all strains. It consists of distinct integrases. Analysis of SPβ transcriptomes revealed three conserved genes, yopQ, yopR, and yokI, to be transcribed from a dormant prophage. While yopQ and yokI could be deleted from the prophage without activating the prophage, damaging of yopR led to a clear-plaque phenotype. Under the applied laboratory conditions, the yokI mutant showed an elevated virion release implying the YokI protein being a component of the arbitrium system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Kohm
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| | | | - Veronika T Lutz
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, 1870, Denmark
| | - Birthe Nordmann
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Carolin Mittelstädt
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology and Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics, Georg-August University, Göttingen, 37077, Germany
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, 1000, Slovenia
| | - Fabian M Commichau
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| | - Robert Hertel
- FG Synthetic Microbiology, Institute for Biotechnology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, 01968, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dragoš A, Andersen AJC, Lozano-Andrade CN, Kempen PJ, Kovács ÁT, Strube ML. Phages carry interbacterial weapons encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters. Curr Biol 2021; 31:3479-3489.e5. [PMID: 34186025 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria produce diverse specialized metabolites that mediate ecological interactions and serve as a rich source of industrially relevant natural products. Biosynthetic pathways for these metabolites are encoded by organized groups of genes called biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Understanding the natural function and distribution of BGCs provides insight into the mechanisms through which microorganisms interact and compete. Further, understanding BGCs is extremely important for biocontrol and the mining of new bioactivities. Here, we investigated phage-encoded BGCs (pBGCs), challenging the relationship between phage origin and BGC structure and function. The results demonstrated that pBGCs are rare, and they predominantly reside within temperate phages infecting commensal or pathogenic bacterial hosts. Further, the vast majority of pBGCs were found to encode for bacteriocins. Using the soil- and gut-associated bacterium Bacillus subtilis, we experimentally demonstrated how a temperate phage equips a bacterium with a fully functional BGC, providing a clear competitive fitness advantage over the ancestor. Moreover, we demonstrated a similar transfer of the same phage in prophage form. Finally, using genetic and genomic comparisons, a strong association between pBGC type and phage host range was revealed. These findings suggest that bacteriocins are encoded in temperate phages of a few commensal bacterial genera. In these cases, lysogenic conversion provides an evolutionary benefit to the infected host and, hence, to the phage itself. This study is an important step toward understanding the natural role of bacterial compounds encoded by BGCs, the mechanisms driving their horizontal transfer, and the sometimes mutualistic relationship between bacteria and temperate phages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads bldg. 221, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Aaron J C Andersen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads bldg. 221, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Carlos N Lozano-Andrade
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads bldg. 221, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul J Kempen
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet bldg. 423, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark; National Center for Nano Fabrication and Characterization, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej bldg. 307, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads bldg. 221, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mikael Lenz Strube
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Søltofts Plads bldg. 221, DK-2800 Kgs Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Danevčič T, Dragoš A, Spacapan M, Stefanic P, Dogsa I, Mandic-Mulec I. Surfactin Facilitates Horizontal Gene Transfer in Bacillus subtilis. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:657407. [PMID: 34054753 PMCID: PMC8160284 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.657407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic competence for the uptake and integration of extracellular DNA is a key process in horizontal gene transfer (HGT), one of the most powerful forces driving the evolution of bacteria. In several species, development of genetic competence is coupled with cell lysis. Using Bacillus subtilis as a model bacterium, we studied the role of surfactin, a powerful biosurfactant and antimicrobial lipopeptide, in genetic transformation. We showed that surfactin itself promotes cell lysis and DNA release, thereby promoting HGT. These results, therefore, provide evidence for a fundamental mechanism involved in HGT and significantly increase our understanding of the spreading of antibiotic resistance genes and diversification of microbial communities in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tjaša Danevčič
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mihael Spacapan
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Polonca Stefanic
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Iztok Dogsa
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ines Mandic-Mulec
- Chair of Microbiology, Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gallegos-Monterrosa R, Christensen MN, Barchewitz T, Koppenhöfer S, Priyadarshini B, Bálint B, Maróti G, Kempen PJ, Dragoš A, Kovács ÁT. Impact of Rap-Phr system abundance on adaptation of Bacillus subtilis. Commun Biol 2021; 4:468. [PMID: 33850233 PMCID: PMC8044106 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01983-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbes commonly display great genetic plasticity, which has allowed them to colonize all ecological niches on Earth. Bacillus subtilis is a soil-dwelling organism that can be isolated from a wide variety of environments. An interesting characteristic of this bacterium is its ability to form biofilms that display complex heterogeneity: individual, clonal cells develop diverse phenotypes in response to different environmental conditions within the biofilm. Here, we scrutinized the impact that the number and variety of the Rap-Phr family of regulators and cell-cell communication modules of B. subtilis has on genetic adaptation and evolution. We examine how the Rap family of phosphatase regulators impacts sporulation in diverse niches using a library of single and double rap-phr mutants in competition under 4 distinct growth conditions. Using specific DNA barcodes and whole-genome sequencing, population dynamics were followed, revealing the impact of individual Rap phosphatases and arising mutations on the adaptability of B. subtilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramses Gallegos-Monterrosa
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Mathilde Nordgaard Christensen
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tino Barchewitz
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Sonja Koppenhöfer
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany ,grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Present Address: Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL Canada
| | - B. Priyadarshini
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Balázs Bálint
- grid.475919.7Seqomics Biotechnology Ltd., Mórahalom, Hungary
| | - Gergely Maróti
- grid.5018.c0000 0001 2149 4407Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Paul J. Kempen
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Dragoš
- grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ákos T. Kovács
- grid.9613.d0000 0001 1939 2794Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany ,grid.5170.30000 0001 2181 8870Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, DTU Bioengineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hartmann R, Jeckel H, Jelli E, Singh PK, Vaidya S, Bayer M, Rode DKH, Vidakovic L, Díaz-Pascual F, Fong JCN, Dragoš A, Lamprecht O, Thöming JG, Netter N, Häussler S, Nadell CD, Sourjik V, Kovács ÁT, Yildiz FH, Drescher K. Publisher Correction: Quantitative image analysis of microbial communities with BiofilmQ. Nat Microbiol 2021; 6:270. [PMID: 33420476 PMCID: PMC7840498 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-00863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raimo Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Hannah Jeckel
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eric Jelli
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Praveen K Singh
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Sanika Vaidya
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Bayer
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Daniel K H Rode
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lucia Vidakovic
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Jiunn C N Fong
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Olga Lamprecht
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dubendorf, Switzerland
| | - Janne G Thöming
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niklas Netter
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Häussler
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carey D Nadell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Victor Sourjik
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.,Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie, SYNMIKRO, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Fitnat H Yildiz
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Knut Drescher
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany. .,Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany. .,Zentrum für Synthetische Mikrobiologie, SYNMIKRO, Marburg, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dragoš A, Priyadarshini B, Hasan Z, Strube ML, Kempen PJ, Maróti G, Kaspar C, Bose B, Burton BM, Bischofs IB, Kovács ÁT. Pervasive prophage recombination occurs during evolution of spore-forming Bacilli. ISME J 2020; 15:1344-1358. [PMID: 33343000 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-00854-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Phages are the main source of within-species bacterial diversity and drivers of horizontal gene transfer, but we know little about the mechanisms that drive genetic diversity of these mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Recently, we showed that a sporulation selection regime promotes evolutionary changes within SPβ prophage of Bacillus subtilis, leading to direct antagonistic interactions within the population. Herein, we reveal that under a sporulation selection regime, SPβ recombines with low copy number phi3Ts phage DNA present within the B. subtilis population. Recombination results in a new prophage occupying a different integration site, as well as the spontaneous release of virulent phage hybrids. Analysis of Bacillus sp. strains suggests that SPβ and phi3T belong to a distinct cluster of unusually large phages inserted into sporulation-related genes that are equipped with a spore-related genetic arsenal. Comparison of Bacillus sp. genomes indicates that similar diversification of SPβ-like phages takes place in nature. Our work is a stepping stone toward empirical studies on phage evolution, and understanding the eco-evolutionary relationships between bacteria and their phages. By capturing the first steps of new phage evolution, we reveal striking relationship between survival strategy of bacteria and evolution of their phages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - B Priyadarshini
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Zahraa Hasan
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Mikael Lenz Strube
- Bacterial Ecophysiology and Biotechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul J Kempen
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, H-6701, Hungary
| | - Charlotte Kaspar
- BioQuant Center of the University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Briana M Burton
- Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Ilka B Bischofs
- BioQuant Center of the University of Heidelberg, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, 35043, Marburg, Germany
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Otto SB, Martin M, Schäfer D, Hartmann R, Drescher K, Brix S, Dragoš A, Kovács ÁT. Privatization of Biofilm Matrix in Structurally Heterogeneous Biofilms. mSystems 2020; 5:e00425-20. [PMID: 32753507 PMCID: PMC7406226 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00425-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The self-produced biofilm provides beneficial protection for the enclosed cells, but the costly production of matrix components makes producer cells susceptible to cheating by nonproducing individuals. Despite detrimental effects of nonproducers, biofilms can be heterogeneous, with isogenic nonproducers being a natural consequence of phenotypic differentiation processes. For instance, in Bacillus subtilis biofilm cells differ in production of the two major matrix components, the amyloid fiber protein TasA and exopolysaccharides (EPS), demonstrating different expression levels of corresponding matrix genes. This raises questions regarding matrix gene expression dynamics during biofilm development and the impact of phenotypic nonproducers on biofilm robustness. Here, we show that biofilms are structurally heterogeneous and can be separated into strongly and weakly associated clusters. We reveal that spatiotemporal changes in structural heterogeneity correlate with matrix gene expression, with TasA playing a key role in biofilm integrity and timing of development. We show that the matrix remains partially privatized by the producer subpopulation, where cells tightly stick together even when exposed to shear stress. Our results support previous findings on the existence of "weak points" in seemingly robust biofilms as well as on the key role of linkage proteins in biofilm formation. Furthermore, we provide a starting point for investigating the privatization of common goods within isogenic populations.IMPORTANCE Biofilms are communities of bacteria protected by a self-produced extracellular matrix. The detrimental effects of nonproducing individuals on biofilm development raise questions about the dynamics between community members, especially when isogenic nonproducers exist within wild-type populations. We asked ourselves whether phenotypic nonproducers impact biofilm robustness, and where and when this heterogeneity of matrix gene expression occurs. Based on our results, we propose that the matrix remains partly privatized by the producing subpopulation, since producing cells stick together when exposed to shear stress. The important role of linkage proteins in robustness and development of the structurally heterogeneous biofilm provides an entry into studying the privatization of common goods within isogenic populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon B Otto
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Marivic Martin
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Daniel Schäfer
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Raimo Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
| | - Knut Drescher
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany
- Department of Physics, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Susanne Brix
- Disease Systems Immunology Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Martin M, Dragoš A, Otto SB, Schäfer D, Brix S, Maróti G, Kovács ÁT. Cheaters shape the evolution of phenotypic heterogeneity in Bacillus subtilis biofilms. ISME J 2020; 14:2302-2312. [PMID: 32483306 PMCID: PMC7608354 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-020-0685-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Biofilms are closely packed cells held and shielded by extracellular matrix composed of structural proteins and exopolysaccharides (EPS). As matrix components are costly to produce and shared within the population, EPS-deficient cells can act as cheaters by gaining benefits from the cooperative nature of EPS producers. Remarkably, genetically programmed EPS producers can also exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity at single-cell level. Previous studies have shown that spatial structure of biofilms limits the spread of cheaters, but the long-term influence of cheating on biofilm evolution is not well understood. Here, we examine the influence of EPS nonproducers on evolution of matrix production within the populations of EPS producers in a model biofilm-forming bacterium, Bacillus subtilis. We discovered that general adaptation to biofilm lifestyle leads to an increase in phenotypical heterogeneity of eps expression. However, prolonged exposure to EPS-deficient cheaters may result in different adaptive strategy, where eps expression increases uniformly within the population. We propose a molecular mechanism behind such adaptive strategy and demonstrate how it can benefit the EPS producers in the presence of cheaters. This study provides additional insights on how biofilms adapt and respond to stress caused by exploitation in long-term scenario.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marivic Martin
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Simon B Otto
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Daniel Schäfer
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Brix
- Disease Systems Immunology Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Center of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, 6726, Hungary
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. .,Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743, Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kovács ÁT, Dragoš A. Evolved Biofilm: Review on the Experimental Evolution Studies of Bacillus subtilis Pellicles. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:4749-4759. [PMID: 30769118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
For several decades, laboratory evolution has served as a powerful method to manipulate microorganisms and to explore long-term dynamics in microbial populations. Next to canonical Escherichia coli planktonic cultures, experimental evolution has expanded into alternative cultivation methods and species, opening the doors to new research questions. Bacillus subtilis, the spore-forming and root-colonizing bacterium, can easily develop in the laboratory as a liquid-air interface colonizing pellicle biofilm. Here, we summarize recent findings derived from this tractable experimental model. Clonal pellicle biofilms of B. subtilis can rapidly undergo morphological and genetic diversification creating new ecological interactions, for example, exploitation by biofilm non-producers. Moreover, long-term exposure to such matrix non-producers can modulate cooperation in biofilms, leading to different phenotypic heterogeneity pattern of matrix production with larger subpopulation of "ON" cells. Alternatively, complementary variants of biofilm non-producers, each lacking a distinct matrix component, can engage in a genetic division of labor, resulting in superior biofilm productivity compared to the "generalist" wild type. Nevertheless, inter-genetic cooperation appears to be evanescent and rapidly vanquished by individual biofilm formation strategies altering the amount or the properties of the remaining matrix component. Finally, fast-evolving mobile genetic elements can unpredictably shift intra-species interactions in B. subtilis biofilms. Understanding evolution in clonal biofilm populations will facilitate future studies in complex multispecies biofilms that are more representative of nature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Dragoš A, Lakshmanan N, Martin M, Horváth B, Maróti G, Falcón García C, Lieleg O, Kovács ÁT. Evolution of exploitative interactions during diversification in Bacillus subtilis biofilms. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2018; 93:4604779. [PMID: 29126191 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fix155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are tightly packed, heterogeneous structures that serve as arenas for social interactions. Studies on Gram negative models reveal that during evolution in structured environments like biofilms, isogenic populations commonly diversify into phenotypically and genetically distinct variants. These variants can settle in alternative biofilm niches and develop new types of interactions that greatly influence population productivity. Here, we explore the evolutionary diversification of pellicle biofilms of the Gram positive, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus subtilis. We discovered that-similarly to other species-B. subtilis diversifies into distinct colony variants. These variants dramatically differ in biofilm formation abilities and expression of biofilm-related genes. In addition, using a quantitative approach, we reveal striking differences in surface complexity and hydrophobicity of the evolved colony types. Interestingly, one of the morphotypes completely lost the ability of independent biofilm formation and evolved to hitchhike with other morphotypes with improved biofilm forming abilities. Genome comparison suggests that major phenotypic transformations between the morphotypes can be triggered by subtle genetic differences. Our work demonstrates how positive complementarity effects and exploitative interactions intertwine during evolutionary diversification in biofilms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej Building 301, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark.,Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Nivedha Lakshmanan
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Marivic Martin
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej Building 301, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark.,Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Balázs Horváth
- Seqomics Biotechnology Ltd, Vállalkozók útja 7, Mórahalom 6782, Hungary
| | - Gergely Maróti
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, Szeged 6726, Hungary
| | - Carolina Falcón García
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Munich School of Bioengineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Oliver Lieleg
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Munich School of Bioengineering, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 11, Garching 85748, Germany
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Anker Engelunds Vej Building 301, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark.,Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, Jena 07743, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Dragoš A, Kiesewalter H, Martin M, Hsu CY, Hartmann R, Wechsler T, Eriksen C, Brix S, Drescher K, Stanley-Wall N, Kümmerli R, Kovács ÁT. Division of Labor during Biofilm Matrix Production. Curr Biol 2018; 28:1903-1913.e5. [PMID: 29887307 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Organisms as simple as bacteria can engage in complex collective actions, such as group motility and fruiting body formation. Some of these actions involve a division of labor, where phenotypically specialized clonal subpopulations or genetically distinct lineages cooperate with each other by performing complementary tasks. Here, we combine experimental and computational approaches to investigate potential benefits arising from division of labor during biofilm matrix production. We show that both phenotypic and genetic strategies for a division of labor can promote collective biofilm formation in the soil bacterium Bacillus subtilis. In this species, biofilm matrix consists of two major components, exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and TasA. We observed that clonal groups of B. subtilis phenotypically segregate into three subpopulations composed of matrix non-producers, EPS producers, and generalists, which produce both EPSs and TasA. This incomplete phenotypic specialization was outperformed by a genetic division of labor, where two mutants, engineered as specialists, complemented each other by exchanging EPSs and TasA. The relative fitness of the two mutants displayed a negative frequency dependence both in vitro and on plant roots, with strain frequency reaching a stable equilibrium at 30% TasA producers, corresponding exactly to the population composition where group productivity is maximized. Using individual-based modeling, we show that asymmetries in strain ratio can arise due to differences in the relative benefits that matrix compounds generate for the collective and that genetic division of labor can be favored when it breaks metabolic constraints associated with the simultaneous production of two matrix components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark; Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Heiko Kiesewalter
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Marivic Martin
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark; Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07743, Germany
| | - Chih-Yu Hsu
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Raimo Hartmann
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Tobias Wechsler
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Eriksen
- Disease Systems Immunology Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Susanne Brix
- Disease Systems Immunology Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Knut Drescher
- Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Physics, Philipps University, Marburg 35037, Germany
| | | | - Rolf Kümmerli
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, University of Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby 2800, Denmark; Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena 07743, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hölscher T, Schiklang T, Dragoš A, Dietel AK, Kost C, Kovács ÁT. Impaired competence in flagellar mutants of Bacillus subtilis is connected to the regulatory network governed by DegU. Environ Microbiol Rep 2018; 10:23-32. [PMID: 29124898 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The competent state is a developmentally distinct phase, in which bacteria are able to take up and integrate exogenous DNA into their genome. Bacillus subtilis is one of the naturally competent bacterial species and the domesticated laboratory strain 168 is easily transformable. In this study, we report a reduced transformation frequency of B. subtilis mutants lacking functional and structural flagellar components. This includes hag, the gene encoding the flagellin protein forming the filament of the flagellum. We confirm that the observed decrease of the transformation frequency is due to reduced expression of competence genes, particularly of the main competence regulator gene comK. The impaired competence is due to an increase in the phosphorylated form of the response regulator DegU, which is involved in regulation of both flagellar motility and competence. Altogether, our study identified a close link between motility and natural competence in B. subtilis suggesting that hindrance in motility has great impact on differentiation of this bacterium not restricted only to the transition towards sessile growth stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Hölscher
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Tina Schiklang
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Dietel
- Experimental Ecology and Evolution Group, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Christian Kost
- Experimental Ecology and Evolution Group, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology/Chemistry, University of Osnabrück, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany
- Bacterial Interactions and Evolution Group, Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Dragoš A, Kovács ÁT, Claessen D. The Role of Functional Amyloids in Multicellular Growth and Development of Gram-Positive Bacteria. Biomolecules 2017; 7:biom7030060. [PMID: 28783117 PMCID: PMC5618241 DOI: 10.3390/biom7030060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils play pivotal roles in all domains of life. In bacteria, these fibrillar structures are often part of an extracellular matrix that surrounds the producing organism and thereby provides protection to harsh environmental conditions. Here, we discuss the role of amyloid fibrils in the two distant Gram-positive bacteria, Streptomyces coelicolor and Bacillus subtilis. We describe how amyloid fibrils contribute to a multitude of developmental processes in each of these systems, including multicellular growth and community development. Despite this variety of tasks, we know surprisingly little about how their assembly is organized to fulfill all these roles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Dennis Claessen
- Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333BE Leiden, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dragoš A, Kovács ÁT. The Peculiar Functions of the Bacterial Extracellular Matrix. Trends Microbiol 2017; 25:257-266. [PMID: 28089324 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2016.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
A biofilm is a common life form where bacterial cells crowd together surrounded by an extracellular matrix (ECM). Traditionally, the ECM is considered as a structural material that glues and shields the biofilm cells. Here we describe alternative functions of the ECM, highlighting how it benefits microbes beyond the biofilms. Next to protecting free-living cells, the ECM participates in signaling, migration, and genetic exchange either being freely shared with other species or being exclusive to siblings. Considering the structural and recently discovered functions of the ECM, we also attempt to revise its role in sociomicrobiology. In the light of recent findings, the canonical view on ECM as a passive structural material of biofilms should be revisited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dragoš
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Neugasse 23, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Hölscher T, Dragoš A, Gallegos-Monterrosa R, Martin M, Mhatre E, Richter A, Kovács ÁT. Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations. J Vis Exp 2016. [PMID: 27842347 PMCID: PMC5226080 DOI: 10.3791/54752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes provide an intriguing system to study social interaction among individuals within a population. The short generation times and relatively simple genetic modification procedures of microbes facilitate the development of the sociomicrobiology field. To assess the fitness of certain microbial species, selected strains or their genetically modified derivatives within one population, can be fluorescently labelled and tracked using microscopy adapted with appropriate fluorescence filters. Expanding colonies of diverse microbial species on agar media can be used to monitor the spatial distribution of cells producing distinctive fluorescent proteins. Here, we present a detailed protocol for the use of green- and red-fluorescent protein producing bacterial strains to follow spatial arrangement during surface colonization, including flagellum-driven community movement (swarming), exopolysaccharide- and hydrophobin-dependent growth mediated spreading (sliding), and complex colony biofilm formation. Non-domesticated isolates of the Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus subtilis can be utilized to scrutinize certain surface spreading traits and their effect on two-dimensional distribution on the agar-solidified medium. By altering the number of cells used to initiate colony biofilms, the assortment levels can be varied on a continuous scale. Time-lapse fluorescent microscopy can be used to witness the interaction between different phenotypes and genotypes at a certain assortment level and to determine the relative success of either.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Hölscher
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena
| | - Anna Dragoš
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena
| | | | - Marivic Martin
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena
| | - Eisha Mhatre
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena
| | - Anne Richter
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena
| | - Ákos T Kovács
- Terrestrial Biofilms Group, Institute of Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena;
| |
Collapse
|