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Tractable Mammalian Cell Infections with Protozoan-primed Bacteria
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The evolution of group-level pathogenic traits.

Dominique Chu1

  • 1Computing Laboratory, University of Kent, Cornwallis, Canterbury CT27NF, UK. D.F.Chu@kent.ac.uk <D.F.Chu@kent.ac.uk>

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|May 10, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Group selection models explain phase-variation in E. coli fimbriae expression. Weakly interacting subpopulations are crucial for evolving group properties, though evolution may not reach optimal fimbriation levels.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Microbial ecology
  • Computational modeling

Background:

  • Commensal *Escherichia coli* strains modulate host immune defenses via fimbriae expression.
  • Phase-variation in fimbriae expression is a population-level trait crucial for bacterial survival within mammalian hosts.
  • Individual selection models struggle to explain the evolution of optimal fimbriae expression levels.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose and analyze a group-selection model for the evolutionary origin of phase-variation in *E. coli* fimbriae.
  • To investigate the conditions under which group properties, like optimal fimbriation, can evolve.
  • To explore the limitations of evolutionary processes in achieving optimal trait levels.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a computational model simulating the evolution of fimbriae expression in *E. coli* populations.
  • Analysis of group selection dynamics within partitioned subpopulations.
  • Comparison of evolutionary outcomes with theoretical optimal levels.

Main Results:

  • The evolution of fimbriae phase-variation as a group property necessitates population partitioning into weakly interacting subpopulations.
  • In certain simulated scenarios, evolutionary processes consistently fail to attain the optimal level of fimbriation.
  • Subpopulation structure significantly influences the trajectory and efficiency of evolutionary adaptation.

Conclusions:

  • Group selection, facilitated by population structure, is a viable mechanism for the evolution of phase-variation in *E. coli* fimbriae.
  • Evolutionary underperformance highlights potential constraints and inefficiencies in adapting complex group traits.
  • Understanding these dynamics is critical for predicting bacterial adaptation and host-pathogen interactions.