Interspecies nutrient extraction and toxin delivery between bacteria

Ofer Stempler, Amit K. Baidya, Saurabh Bhattacharya, Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan, Elhanan Tzipilevich, Lior Sinai, Gideon Mamou and Sigal Ben-Yehuda ()
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Ofer Stempler: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Amit K. Baidya: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Saurabh Bhattacharya: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Elhanan Tzipilevich: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Lior Sinai: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Gideon Mamou: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Sigal Ben-Yehuda: The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, POB 12272, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Bacteria have developed various mechanisms by which they sense, interact, and kill other bacteria, in an attempt to outcompete one another and survive. Here we show that Bacillus subtilis can kill and prey on Bacillus megaterium. We find that Bacillus subtilis rapidly inhibits Bacillus megaterium growth by delivering the tRNase toxin WapA. Furthermore, utilizing the methionine analogue L-azidohomoalanine as a nutrient reporter, we provide evidence of nutrient extraction from Bacillus megaterium by Bacillus subtilis. Toxin delivery and nutrient extraction occur in a contact-dependent manner, and both activities are abolished in the absence of the phosphodiestrase YmdB, shown previously to mediate intercellular nanotube formation. Furthermore, we detect the localization of WapA molecules to nanotubes. Thus, we propose that Bacillus subtilis utilizes the same nanotube apparatus in a bidirectional manner, delivering toxin and acquiring beneficial cargo, thereby maximally exploiting potential niche resources.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00344-7

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