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Detecting Cortex Fragments During Bacterial Spore Germination
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Cooperation and Cheating among Germinating Spores.

Samay Pande1, Pau Pérez Escriva2, Yuen-Tsu Nicco Yu3

  • 1Institute for Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich, Universitaetstrasse 16, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, C.V. Raman Avenue, 560012 Bangalore, India.

Current Biology : CB
|September 25, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Microbial spore germination is a social process. Myxococcus xanthus spores use distinct molecules for density-dependent germination and cheating, especially under saline stress.

Keywords:
density dependenceglycine betainemyxobacteriaosmotic stresspublic goodssocial evolutionspore germination

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Behavioral Ecology

Background:

  • Microbes form stress-resistant spores for survival and dispersal.
  • Spore formation can involve cooperation, but germination social interactions are less understood.
  • Myxococcus xanthus forms fruiting bodies with diverse spores upon starvation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the social aspects of Myxococcus xanthus spore germination.
  • To identify social molecules involved in spore germination.
  • To explore density dependence and cheating in spore germination.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized pairs of natural M. xanthus isolates from single fruiting bodies.
  • Assessed spore germination under varying densities and saline conditions.
  • Identified social molecules mediating germination and stress responses.

Main Results:

  • M. xanthus spore germination shows positive density dependence via a secreted factor.
  • A germination defect under saline stress is complemented by another strain.
  • Glycine betaine mediates saline-specific density dependence and cheating.
  • Distinct factors mediate density dependence in non-saline conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Spore germination in M. xanthus is a socially complex process.
  • Multiple social molecules regulate germination, density dependence, and cheating.
  • Social interactions are crucial for M. xanthus spore germination, particularly under stress.