Complex extracellular biology drives surface competition during colony expansion in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Many bacteria grow on surfaces in nature, where they form cell collectives that compete for space. Within these collectives, cells often secrete molecules that benefit surface spreading by, for example, reducing surface tension or promoting filamentous growth. Although we have a detailed understanding of how these molecules are produced, much remains unknown about their role in surface competition. Here we examine sliding motility in Bacillus subtilis and compare how secreted molecules, essential for sliding, affect intraspecific cooperation and competition on a surface. We specifically examine (i) the lipopeptide surfactin, (ii) the hydrophobin protein BslA, and (iii) exopolysaccharides (EPS). We find that these molecules have a distinct effect on surface competition. Whereas surfactin ac

SUBMITTER: Jautzus T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9477810 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature