Competition between lysogenic and sensitive bacteria is determined by the fitness costs of the different emerging phage-resistance strategies.

ABSTRACT: Many bacterial genomes carry prophages whose induction can eliminate competitors. In response, bacteria may become resistant by modifying surface receptors, by lysogenization, or by other poorly known processes. All these mechanisms affect bacterial fitness and population dynamics. To understand the evolution of phage resistance, we co-cultivated a phage-sensitive strain (BJ1) and a polylysogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae strain (ST14) under different phage pressures. The population yield remained stable after 30 days. Surprisingly, the initially sensitive strain remained in all populations and its frequency was highest when phage pressure was strongest. Resistance to phages in these populations emerged initially through mutations preventing capsule biosynthesis. Protection through lyso

SUBMITTER: Rendueles O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10076033 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature