Constrained proteome allocation affects coexistence in models of competitive microbial communities

Area of Science:

• Microbial Ecology
• Theoretical Ecology
• Systems Biology

Background:

• Microbial communities are vital in natural processes, yet their dynamics are not fully understood quantitatively.
• Intracellular properties, like proteome allocation, influence microbial community structure and metabolism.
• Classical ecological models often overlook these intracellular details.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel theoretical framework integrating proteome allocation into population dynamics models.
• To bridge the gap between classical consumer-resource models and detailed biochemical models.
• To quantitatively describe microbial community dynamics considering intracellular constraints.

Main Methods:

• Revising MacArthur's consumer-resource model to incorporate proteome allocation.
• Developing a consumer-proteome-resource model.
• Analytical and numerical analyses of the model with varying species and resources.
• Experimental validation with simple microbial communities.

Main Results:

• Proteome allocation is essential for accurately modeling even simple microbial communities (e.g., two strains competing for one resource).
• The new model captures temporally-varying proteome allocation under growth and synthesis constraints.
• The framework preserves analytical insight while increasing complexity.
• Conditions for multi-species coexistence were determined.

Conclusions:

• Integrating intracellular proteome allocation provides a more accurate understanding of microbial community dynamics.
• The consumer-proteome-resource model offers an intermediate level of complexity for ecological modeling.
• This approach enhances predictions of microbial community structure, function, and stability.