Universität zu Köln

Ribbe, Jan and Maier, Berenike ORCID: 0000-0001-6971-9927 (2016). Density-Dependent Differentiation of Bacteria in Spatially Structured Open Systems. Biophys. J., 110 (7). S. 1648 - 1661. CAMBRIDGE: CELL PRESS. ISSN 1542-0086

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Abstract

Bacterial quorum sensing is usually studied in well-mixed populations residing within closed systems. The latter do not exchange mass with their surroundings; however, in their natural environment, such as the rhizosphere, bacteria live in spatially structured open systems. Here, we tested the hypothesis that trapping of bacteria within microscopic pockets of an open system triggers density-dependent differentiation. We designed a microfluidic device that trapped swimming bacteria within microscopic compartments. The geometry of the traps controlled their diffusive coupling to fluid flow that played a dual role as nutrient source and autoinducer sink. Bacillus subtilis differentiates into a state of competence in response to quorum sensing and nutrient limitation. Using a mutant strain with a high differentiation rate and fluorescent reporters for competence, we found that the cell density required for differentiation was 100-fold higher than that required in closed systems. A direct comparison of strongly and moderately coupled reservoirs showed that strong coupling supported early differentiation but required a higher number of bacteria for its initiation. Weak coupling resulted in retardation of growth and differentiation. We conclude that spatial heterogeneity can promote density-dependent differentiation in open systems, and propose that the minimal quorum is determined by diffusive coupling to the environment through a trade-off between retaining autoinducers and accessing nutrients.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Ribbe, Jan UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Maier, Berenike UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-6971-9927 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-278686
DOI:	10.1016/j.bpj.2016.03.007
Journal or Publication Title:	Biophys. J.
Volume:	110
Number:	7
Page Range:	S. 1648 - 1661
Date:	2016
Publisher:	CELL PRESS
Place of Publication:	CAMBRIDGE
ISSN:	1542-0086
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Physics > Institut für Biologische Physik
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language BACILLUS-SUBTILIS; COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT; K-STATE; QUORUM; EXPRESSION; PATHWAYS; PHEROMONE; DIFFUSION; PROTEINS; GROWTH Multiple languages Biophysics Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/27868