Investigating the Role of Nutrients in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Responses to Predation from Myxococcus xanthus
Disciplines
Biology | Life Sciences
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Myxococcus xanthus is a rod-shaped bacterium that moves in swarms and feeds in social groups on their targeted prey bacteria. The bacteria seek out prey cells, surround them, lyse the cells, then consume the resulting nutrients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one such bacterium that M. xanthus hunts, albeit with limited success, as P. aeruginosa has unique responses to combat predation. P. aeruginosa is a pathogen that has been noted for being multi-drug resistant and can cause severe health complications in those it has infected. We have observed that nutrient status plays a significant role in determining the dynamics of P. aeruginosa response to predation by M. xanthus. Under partial starvation and starvation conditions, we have observed a unique flight response in P. aeruginosa, which helps it to evade predation successfully. In presence of nutrients, however, P. aeruginosa overwhelms the original area where the M. xanthus was spotted, appearing to go on the offensive against M. xanthus. We are investigating this flight vs flight response at the cell-to-cell level through the utilization of fluorescent confocal microscopy. Using mCherry fluorescent-tagged P. aeruginosa and eYFP-tagged M. xanthus to distinguish between the two bacteria, we will observe predation dynamics under partial and total starvation, and nutrient-rich conditions. We expect nutrient status to trigger differential signaling motility responses in the two bacteria, which will be further investigated with gene expression studies. We hope that this will lead to the formulation of novel therapeutic methods to combat the drug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, without the use of antibiotics.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Molecular and Cellular Biology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Ramya Rajagopalan
Investigating the Role of Nutrients in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Responses to Predation from Myxococcus xanthus
Myxococcus xanthus is a rod-shaped bacterium that moves in swarms and feeds in social groups on their targeted prey bacteria. The bacteria seek out prey cells, surround them, lyse the cells, then consume the resulting nutrients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one such bacterium that M. xanthus hunts, albeit with limited success, as P. aeruginosa has unique responses to combat predation. P. aeruginosa is a pathogen that has been noted for being multi-drug resistant and can cause severe health complications in those it has infected. We have observed that nutrient status plays a significant role in determining the dynamics of P. aeruginosa response to predation by M. xanthus. Under partial starvation and starvation conditions, we have observed a unique flight response in P. aeruginosa, which helps it to evade predation successfully. In presence of nutrients, however, P. aeruginosa overwhelms the original area where the M. xanthus was spotted, appearing to go on the offensive against M. xanthus. We are investigating this flight vs flight response at the cell-to-cell level through the utilization of fluorescent confocal microscopy. Using mCherry fluorescent-tagged P. aeruginosa and eYFP-tagged M. xanthus to distinguish between the two bacteria, we will observe predation dynamics under partial and total starvation, and nutrient-rich conditions. We expect nutrient status to trigger differential signaling motility responses in the two bacteria, which will be further investigated with gene expression studies. We hope that this will lead to the formulation of novel therapeutic methods to combat the drug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, without the use of antibiotics.