Bacillus subtilis attachment to Aspergillus niger hyphae results in mutually altered metabolism

Abstract

Interaction between microbes affects the growth, metabolism and differentiation of members of the microbial community. While direct and indirect competition, like antagonism and nutrient consumption have a negative effect on the interacting members of the population, microbes have also evolved in nature not only to fight, but in some cases to adapt to or support each other, while increasing the fitness of the community. The presence of bacteria and fungi in soil results in various interactions including mutualism. Bacilli attach to the plant root and form complex communities in the rhizosphere. Bacillus subtilis, when grown in the presence of Aspergillus niger, interacts similarly with the fungus, by attaching and growing on the hyphae. Based on data obtained in a dual transcriptome experiment, we suggest that both fungi and bacteria alter their metabolism during this interaction. Interestingly, the transcription of genes related to the antifungal and putative antibacterial defence mechanism of B. subtilis and A. niger, respectively, are decreased upon attachment of bacteria to the mycelia. Analysis of the culture supernatant suggests that surfactin production by B. subtilis was reduced when the bacterium was co-cultivated with the fungus. Our experiments provide new insights into the interaction between a bacterium and a fungus.

Burkholderia terrae BS001 migrates proficiently with diverse fungal hosts through soil and provides protection from antifungal agents

“…This broad capacity is likely to be multi-faceted and may include a diversity of bacterial mechanisms, as detailed in Haq et al (2014). In a generic sense, it likely includes the physical ability of strain BS001 to produce biofilm-like cell agglomerates associated with the hyphal networks just like the recently reported association of Bacillus subtilis with Aspergillus niger (Benoit et al, 2014). Unfortunately, we could not show this to occur directly in the soil as a result of technical difficulties.…”

Fungus-associated bacteriome in charge of their host behavior

“…niger, the ectobacteria actinomycetes and Bacillus subtillus respectively, were shown to 54 affect fungal primary and secondary metabolism (Benoit et al, 2015;Schroeckh et al, 2009). 55…”

Transcriptomic responses of a simplified soil microcosm to a plant pathogen and its biocontrol agent reveal a complex reaction to harsh habitat

“…Microbe-microbe interactions have an important impact on microbial fitness in the soil [3] and they can positively or negatively affect other participants, including organisms of higher taxa [4]. These interactions can be synergistic, neutral or antagonistic, and can affect the growth, metabolism and differentiation of members of the microbial community [5]. For example, direct and indirect competition, like antagonism and nutrient consumption, have an adverse effect on interacting members of the population [5].…”

“…These interactions can be synergistic, neutral or antagonistic, and can affect the growth, metabolism and differentiation of members of the microbial community [5]. For example, direct and indirect competition, like antagonism and nutrient consumption, have an adverse effect on interacting members of the population [5]. Plant pathogens have to compete with members of the rhizosphere microbiota for available nutrients and microsites in order to infect root tissue, and they are significantly restricted in growth by the antagonistic activities of biocontrol microorganisms in suppressive soils [6].…”