Phenotypic delay in the evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance: Mechanistic models and their implications.

ABSTRACT: Phenotypic delay-the time delay between genetic mutation and expression of the corresponding phenotype-is generally neglected in evolutionary models, yet recent work suggests that it may be more common than previously assumed. Here, we use computer simulations and theory to investigate the significance of phenotypic delay for the evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. We consider three mechanisms which could potentially cause phenotypic delay: effective polyploidy, dilution of antibiotic-sensitive molecules and accumulation of resistance-enhancing molecules. We find that the accumulation of resistant molecules is relevant only within a narrow parameter range, but both the dilution of sensitive molecules and effective polyploidy can cause phenotypic delay over a wide range of par

SUBMITTER: Carballo-Pacheco M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7307788 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature