Although mutualisms are often studied as simple pairwise interactions, they typically involve complex networks of interacting species. How multiple mutualistic partners that provide the same service and compete for resources are maintained in mutualistic networks is an open question. We use a model bacterial community in which multiple ‘partner strains’ of
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Abstract Escherichia coli compete for a carbon source and exchange resources with a ‘shared mutualist’ strain ofSalmonella enterica . In laboratory experiments, competingE. coli strains readily coexist in the presence ofS. enterica , despite differences in their competitive abilities. We use ecological modeling to demonstrate that a shared mutualist can create temporary resource niche partitioning by limiting growth rates, even if yield is set by a resource external to a mutualism. This mechanism can extend to maintain multiple competing partner species. Our results improve our understanding of complex mutualistic communities and aid efforts to design stable microbial communities. -
Abstract Microorganisms enhance fitness by prioritizing catabolism of available carbon sources using a process known as carbon catabolite repression (CCR). Planktonically grown
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to prioritize the consumption of organic acids including lactic acid over catabolism of glucose using a CCR strategy termed “reverse diauxie.”P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen with well-documented biofilm phenotypes that are distinct from its planktonic phenotypes. Reverse diauxie has been described in planktonic cultures, but it has not been documented explicitly inP. aeruginosa biofilms. Here a combination of exometabolomics and label-free proteomics was used to analyze planktonic and biofilm phenotypes for reverse diauxie.P. aeruginosa biofilm cultures preferentially consumed lactic acid over glucose, and in addition, the cultures catabolized the substrates completely and did not exhibit the acetate secreting “overflow” metabolism that is typical of many model microorganisms. The biofilm phenotype was enabled by changes in protein abundances, including lactate dehydrogenase, fumarate hydratase, GTP cyclohydrolase, L-ornithine N(5)-monooxygenase, and superoxide dismutase. These results are noteworthy because reverse diauxie-mediated catabolism of organic acids necessitates a terminal electron acceptor like O2, which is typically in low supply in biofilms due to diffusion limitation. Label-free proteomics identified dozens of proteins associated with biofilm formation including 16 that have not been previously reported, highlighting both the advantages of the methodology utilized here and the complexity of the proteomic adaptation forP. aeruginosa biofilms. Documenting the reverse diauxic phenotype inP. aeruginosa biofilms is foundational for understanding cellular nutrient and energy fluxes, which ultimately control growth and virulence.