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Genetic components of Escherichia coli involved in its complex prey-predator interaction with Myxococcus xanthus.

ABSTRACT: Myxococcus xanthus and Escherichia coli represent a well-studied microbial predator-prey pair frequently examined in laboratory settings. While significant progress has been made in comprehending the mechanisms governing M. xanthus predation, various aspects of the response and defensive mechanisms of E. coli as prey remain elusive. In this study, the E. coli MG1655 large-scale chromosome deletion library was screened, and a mutant designated as ME5012 was identified to possess significantly reduced susceptibility to predation by M. xanthus. Within the deleted region of ME5012 encompassing seven genes, the significance of dusB and fis genes in driving the observed phenotype became apparent. Specifically, the deletion of fis resulted in a notable reduction in flagellum production in E. coli, contributing to a certain level of resistance against predation by M. xanthus. Meanwhile, the removal of dusB in E. coli led to diminished inducibility of myxovirescin A production by M. xanthus, accompanied by a slight decrease in susceptibility to myxovirescin A. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex interaction between M. xanthus and E. coli in a predatory context.

SUBMITTER: Zhang N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10728724 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic components of Escherichia coli involved in its complex prey-predator interaction with Myxococcus xanthus.

Zhang Ning N Li Tingyi T Pan Hongwei H Wang Yipeng Y Li Qi Q Luan Jia J He Xuesong X Shi Wenyuan W Li Yuezhong Y Wang Chuandong C Zhang Fengyu F Hu Wei W

Frontiers in microbiology 20231205

Myxococcus xanthus and Escherichia coli represent a well-studied microbial predator-prey pair frequently examined in laboratory settings. While significant progress has been made in comprehending the mechanisms governing M. xanthus predation, various aspects of the response and defensive mechanisms of E. coli as prey remain elusive. In this study, the E. coli MG1655 large-scale chromosome deletion library was screened, and a mutant designated as ME5012 was iden ...[more]

PMID: 38116529

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Project description:The predatory behavior of Myxococcus xanthus has attracted extensive attention due to its unique social traits and inherent biological activities. In addition to group hunting, individual M. xanthus cells are able to kill and lyse prey cells; however, there is little understanding of the dynamics of solitary predation. In this study, by employing a bacterial tracking technique, we investigated M. xanthus predatory dynamics on Escherichia coli at the single-cell level. The killing and lysis of E. coli by a single M. xanthus cell was monitored in real time by microscopic observation, and the plasmolysis of prey cells was identified at a relatively early stage of solitary predation. After quantitative characterization of their solitary predatory behavior, M. xanthus cells were found to respond more dramatically to direct contact with live E. coli cells than heat-killed or UV-killed cells, showing slower predator motion and faster lysing of prey. Among the three contact-dependent killing modes classified according to the major subareas of M. xanthus cells in contact with prey, leading pole contact was observed most. After killing the prey, approximately 72% of M. xanthus cells were found to leave without thorough degradation of the lysed prey, and this postresidence behavior is described as a lysis-leave pattern, indicating that solitary predation has low efficiency in terms of prey-cell consumption. Our results provide a detailed description of the single-cell level dynamics of M. xanthus solitary predation from both prey and predator perspectives.IMPORTANCE Bacterial predation plays multiple essential roles in bacterial selection and mortality within microbial ecosystems. In addition to its ecological and evolutionary importance, many potential applications of bacterial predation have been proposed. The myxobacterium Myxococcus xanthus is a well-known predatory member of the soil microbial community. Its predation is commonly considered a collective behavior comparable to a wolf pack attack; however, individual M. xanthus cells are also able to competently lead to the lysis of a prey cell. Using a bacterial tracking technique, we are able to observe and analyze solitary predation by M. xanthus on Escherichia coli at the single-cell level and reveal the dynamics of both predator and prey during the process. The present study will not only provide a comprehensive understanding of M. xanthus solitary predation but also help to explain why M. xanthus often displays multicellular characteristic predatory behaviors in nature, while a single cell is capable of predation.

Dataset Information

Genetic components of Escherichia coli involved in its complex prey-predator interaction with Myxococcus xanthus.

Publications

Genetic components of <i>Escherichia coli</i> involved in its complex prey-predator interaction with <i>Myxococcus xanthus</i>.

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