Non-social adaptation defers a tragedy of the commons in Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing.

ABSTRACT: In a process termed quorum sensing (QS), the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses diffusible signaling molecules to regulate the expression of numerous secreted factors or public goods that are shared within the population. But not all cells respond to QS signals. These social cheaters typically harbor a mutation in the QS receptor gene lasR and exploit the public goods produced by cooperators. Here we show that non-social adaptation under growth conditions that require QS-dependent public goods increases tolerance to cheating and defers a tragedy of the commons. The underlying mutation is in the transcriptional repressor gene psdR. This mutation has no effect on public goods expression but instead increases individual fitness by derepressing growth-limiting intrace

SUBMITTER: Asfahl KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4511930 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature