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Infection of Zebrafish Larvae with Aspergillus Spores for Analysis of Host-Pathogen Interactions
Published on: May 16, 2020
Mutualistic interaction between Salmonella enterica and Aspergillus niger and its effects on Zea mays colonization
Roberto Balbontín1, Hera Vlamakis, Roberto Kolter
1Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, HIM building, Room #1042, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
Abstract:
Salmonella Typhimurium inhabits a variety of environments and is able to infect a broad range of hosts. Throughout its life cycle, some hosts can act as intermediates in the path to the infection of others. Aspergillus niger is a ubiquitous fungus that can often be found in soil or associated to plants and microbial consortia. Recently, S. Typhimurium was shown to establish biofilms on the hyphae of A. niger. In this work, we have found that this interaction is stable for weeks without a noticeable negative effect on either organism. Indeed, bacterial growth is promoted upon the establishment of the interaction. Moreover, bacterial biofilms protect the fungus from external insults such as the effects of the anti-fungal agent cycloheximide. Thus, the Salmonella-Aspergillus interaction can be defined as mutualistic. A tripartite gnotobiotic system involving the bacterium, the fungus and a plant revealed that co-colonization has a greater negative effect on plant growth than colonization by either organism in dividually. Strikingly, co-colonization also causes a reduction in plant invasion by S. Typhimurium. This work demonstrates that S. Typhimurium and A. niger establish a mutualistic interaction that alters bacterial colonization of plants and affects plant physiology.
Insights
Salmonella Typhimurium and Aspergillus niger form a stable, mutualistic relationship, promoting bacterial growth and protecting the fungus. This interaction impacts plant health and reduces bacterial invasion in plants.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Plant Pathology
- Symbiotic Interactions
Background:
- Salmonella Typhimurium is a versatile bacterium infecting various hosts.
- Aspergillus niger is a common soil fungus.
- Previous studies indicated Salmonella Typhimurium can form biofilms on Aspergillus niger.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stability and effects of the Salmonella Typhimurium-Aspergillus niger interaction.
- To determine the impact of this co-colonization on plant physiology and bacterial invasion.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Salmonella Typhimurium and Aspergillus niger together.
- Observing the stability and effects of the interaction over time.
- Utilizing a tripartite gnotobiotic system with a plant to assess co-colonization effects.
Main Results:
- The Salmonella-Aspergillus interaction is stable for weeks with no negative effects on either organism.
- Bacterial growth is enhanced by the interaction.
- Bacterial biofilms protect Aspergillus niger from antifungal agents like cycloheximide.
- Co-colonization negatively impacts plant growth more than individual colonization.
- Co-colonization reduces Salmonella Typhimurium invasion into plants.
Conclusions:
- Salmonella Typhimurium and Aspergillus niger exhibit a mutualistic relationship.
- This interaction influences bacterial colonization of plants and affects plant physiology.
- The findings highlight a novel microbial interaction with implications for plant health and disease dynamics.
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