Fungal hyphae promote bacterial contact-dependent killing during surface-associated growth.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial contact-dependent killing in spatially structured systems is shaped by physical constraints and biological interactions. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of fungal hyphae in facilitating bacterial dispersal and promoting contact-dependent killing during surface-associated growth. Using Vibrio cholerae as the killing bacterium and Pseudomonas stutzeri as the target bacterium, we show that fungal hyphae act as dispersal agents that facilitate bacterial spatial intermixing and promote contact-dependent killing. Specifically, we show that dispersal along fungal hyphae increases the number of contacts between V. cholerae and P. stutzeri cells, which in turn increases the extent of killing via the type VI secretion system encoded by V. cholerae. This enables V. cholerae to

SUBMITTER: Han M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12448445 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature