Direct comparison of spatial transcriptional heterogeneity across diverse Bacillus subtilis biofilm communities.

ABSTRACT: Bacillus subtilis can form various types of spatially organised communities on surfaces, such as colonies, pellicles and submerged biofilms. These communities share similarities and differences, and phenotypic heterogeneity has been reported for each type of community. Here, we studied spatial transcriptional heterogeneity across the three types of surface-associated communities. Using RNA-seq analysis of different regions or populations for each community type, we identified genes that are specifically expressed within each selected population. We constructed fluorescent transcriptional fusions for 17 of these genes, and observed their expression in submerged biofilms using time-lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We found mosaic expression patterns for some genes; in particu

SUBMITTER: Dergham Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10661151 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature