AUTHOR=Zhang Ning , Li Tingyi , Pan Hongwei , Wang Yipeng , Li Qi , Luan Jia , He Xuesong , Shi Wenyuan , Li Yuezhong , Wang Chuandong , Zhang Fengyu , Hu Wei 

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

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1304874

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2023.1304874

ISSN=1664-302X

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