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Growing a Cystic Fibrosis-Relevant Polymicrobial Biofilm to Probe Community Phenotypes
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Enhanced bacterial mutualism through an evolved biofilm phenotype
Henriette L Røder1, Jakob Herschend1, Jakob Russel1
1Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
The ISME Journal
|July 7, 2018
Summary
Microbial cocultures of Paenibacillus amylolyticus and Xanthomonas retroflexus show mutualism. A new X. retroflexus variant enhanced biofilm formation and productivity for both species.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Microbial Ecology
- Bacterial Interactions
Background:
- Microbial communities comprise multiple species with interdependent fitness.
- Interspecies interactions can be direct or indirect, influencing community structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interactions between Paenibacillus amylolyticus and Xanthomonas retroflexus in coculture.
- To understand the emergence and impact of phenotypic variants in microbial cocultures.
- To elucidate the role of biofilm formation in mutualistic interactions.
Main Methods:
- Cocultivation of P. amylolyticus and X. retroflexus in a static environment.
- Phenotypic analysis of bacterial variants.
- Genetic analysis of mutations, focusing on genes related to cyclic-di-GMP synthesis.
- Biofilm structural analysis using microscopy.
Main Results:
- Facultative mutualistic interactions were observed between P. amylolyticus and X. retroflexus.
- A novel X. retroflexus variant emerged with enhanced biofilm formation due to mutations in cyclic-di-GMP synthesis genes.
- This variant increased the productivity of both species without negatively impacting P. amylolyticus.
- P. amylolyticus was found to associate with X. retroflexus biofilms, occupying outer layers.
Conclusions:
- Interspecies interactions can drive diversification and reinforce mutualism in microbial cocultures.
- Enhanced biofilm formation by a bacterial variant can lead to increased communal performance.
- The spatial organization within biofilms plays a role in facilitating interspecies growth and mutualistic relationships.
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