Cheaters shape the evolution of phenotypic heterogeneity in Bacillus subtilis biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms are closely packed cells held and shielded by extracellular matrix composed of structural proteins and exopolysaccharides (EPS). As matrix components are costly to produce and shared within the population, EPS-deficient cells can act as cheaters by gaining benefits from the cooperative nature of EPS producers. Remarkably, genetically programmed EPS producers can also exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity at single-cell level. Previous studies have shown that spatial structure of biofilms limits the spread of cheaters, but the long-term influence of cheating on biofilm evolution is not well understood. Here, we examine the influence of EPS nonproducers on evolution of matrix production within the populations of EPS producers in a model biofilm-forming bacterium, Bacillus subtilis. We di

SUBMITTER: Martin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7608354 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature