Using experimental evolution to explore natural patterns between bacterial motility and resistance to bacteriophages.

ABSTRACT: Resistance of bacteria to phages may be gained by alteration of surface proteins to which phages bind, a mechanism that is likely to be costly as these molecules typically have critical functions such as movement or nutrient uptake. To address this potential trade-off, we combine a systematic study of natural bacteria and phage populations with an experimental evolution approach. We compare motility, growth rate and susceptibility to local phages for 80 bacteria isolated from horse chestnut leaves and, contrary to expectation, find no negative association between resistance to phages and bacterial motility or growth rate. However, because correlational patterns (and their absence) are open to numerous interpretations, we test for any causal association between resistance to phages and bact

SUBMITTER: Koskella B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3197160 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature