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Contingent evolution of alternative metabolic network topologies determines whether cross-feeding evolves
Jeroen Meijer1, Bram van Dijk2, Paulien Hogeweg2
1Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands. j.meijer1@uu.nl.
Communications Biology
|July 31, 2020
Summary
Microbial communities can evolve to either specialize in metabolic division of labor or remain autonomous. This study reveals that evolutionary outcomes depend on ecological and spatial factors, not predetermined trade-offs.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Metabolic exchange significantly influences microbial community structure and diversity.
- The evolutionary pathways leading to metabolic division of labor versus autonomy remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of metabolic strategies in microbial communities.
- To determine factors driving the emergence of metabolic division of labor or autonomy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mechanistic model to simulate the evolution of metabolic networks.
- Analyzed evolutionary trajectories in a constant, single-resource environment.
Main Results:
- Initially identical microbial communities diverged into distinct evolutionary paths.
- Some communities evolved towards a single, autonomous lineage.
- Others developed stable coexistence through cross-feeding of essential building blocks.
Conclusions:
- Diverse metabolic strategies spontaneously emerge from ecological, spatial, and metabolic network constraints.
- Evolutionary outcomes (autonomy vs. division of labor) are contingent and not predetermined by cellular trade-offs or external niche dynamics.
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