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Growth parameter components of adaptive specificity during experimental evolution of the UVR-inducible mutator

Michael R Weigand1, Vinh N Tran, George W Sundin

  • 1Program in Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America.

Plos One
|January 26, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Mutagenic DNA repair (MDR) enhances survival under stress by increasing mutation rates. In Pseudomonas cichorii, adaptive improvements from MDR contribute to fitness gains without hindering normal adaptive specificity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mutagenic DNA repair (MDR) increases mutation rates via low-fidelity polymerases under stress like UV radiation (UVR).
  • MDR confers UVR tolerance, linking bacterial mutability and survival in UVR-exposed environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate adaptive specificity in experimental lineages of Pseudomonas cichorii 302959, a UVR-mutable plant pathogen.
  • Determine how MDR influences adaptive improvements and relative fitness under varying conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental evolution of Pseudomonas cichorii 302959 lineages under UVR and non-UVR conditions.
  • Relative fitness measurements of isolates and population samples to assess adaptive improvements.

Main Results:

  • Adaptive improvements emerged early in all experimental lineages.
  • Specific fitness gains correlated with improved doubling and lag times.
  • Adaptations under UVR and non-UVR conditions were acquired preferentially and contributed differentially to fitness.

Conclusions:

  • MDR activation supports gains in relative fitness in P. cichorii 302959.
  • These fitness gains do not impede normal patterns of adaptive specificity.

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