Open AccessModulation of bacterial multicellularity via spatio-specific polysaccharide secretion
Author(s) -
Salim T. Islam,
Israel Vergara Alvarez,
Fares Saïdi,
Annick Guiseppi,
Evgeny Vinogradov,
Gaurav Sharma,
Léon Espinosa,
Castrese Morrone,
Gaël Brasseur,
Jean-François Guillemot,
Anaïs Bénarouche,
Jean-Luc Bridot,
Gokulakrishnan Ravicoularamin,
Alain Cagna,
Charles Gauthier,
M Singer,
HenriPierre Fierobe,
Tâm Mignot,
Emilia M. F. Mauriello
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.127
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1545-7885
pISSN - 1544-9173
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000728
Subject(s) - myxococcus xanthus , biology , multicellular organism , pilus , population , biofilm , secretion , microbiology and biotechnology , function (biology) , polysaccharide , bacteria , virulence , gene , biochemistry , genetics , mutant , demography , sociology
The development of multicellularity is a key evolutionary transition allowing for differentiation of physiological functions across a cell population that confers survival benefits; among unicellular bacteria, this can lead to complex developmental behaviors and the formation of higher-order community structures. Herein, we demonstrate that in the social δ-proteobacterium Myxococcus xanthus , the secretion of a novel biosurfactant polysaccharide (BPS) is spatially modulated within communities, mediating swarm migration as well as the formation of multicellular swarm biofilms and fruiting bodies. BPS is a type IV pilus (T4P)-inhibited acidic polymer built of randomly acetylated β-linked tetrasaccharide repeats. Both BPS and exopolysaccharide (EPS) are produced by dedicated Wzx/Wzy-dependent polysaccharide-assembly pathways distinct from that responsible for spore-coat assembly. While EPS is preferentially produced at the lower-density swarm periphery, BPS production is favored in the higher-density swarm interior; this is consistent with the former being known to stimulate T4P retraction needed for community expansion and a function for the latter in promoting initial cell dispersal. Together, these data reveal the central role of secreted polysaccharides in the intricate behaviors coordinating bacterial multicellularity.