Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria
Abstract The ability for bacteria to form boundaries between neighboring colonies as the result of intra-species inhibition has been described for a limited number of species. Here, we report that intra-species inhibition is more common than previously recognized. We demonstrated that swimming colon...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57996-x |
| _version_ | 1797233600473595904 |
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| author | Ertan Kastrat Hai-Ping Cheng |
| author_facet | Ertan Kastrat Hai-Ping Cheng |
| author_sort | Ertan Kastrat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The ability for bacteria to form boundaries between neighboring colonies as the result of intra-species inhibition has been described for a limited number of species. Here, we report that intra-species inhibition is more common than previously recognized. We demonstrated that swimming colonies of four Escherichia coli strains and six other bacteria form inhibitory zones between colonies, which is not caused by nutrient depletion. This phenomenon was similarly observed with non-flagellated bacteria. We developed a square-streaking pattern assay which revealed that Escherichia coli BW25113 inhibits the growth of other E. coli, and surprisingly, other Gram-positive and negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant clinical isolates. Altogether, our findings demonstrate intra-species inhibition is common and might be used by E. coli to inhibit other bacteria. Our findings raise the possibility for a common mechanism shared across bacteria for intra-species inhibition. This can be further explored for a potential new class of antibiotics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:18:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-826c1207ef274c6da705c5c8faa54dd7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:18:45Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-826c1207ef274c6da705c5c8faa54dd72024-03-31T11:19:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-03-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-57996-xEscherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteriaErtan Kastrat0Hai-Ping Cheng1Department of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New YorkDepartment of Biological Sciences, Lehman College, City University of New YorkAbstract The ability for bacteria to form boundaries between neighboring colonies as the result of intra-species inhibition has been described for a limited number of species. Here, we report that intra-species inhibition is more common than previously recognized. We demonstrated that swimming colonies of four Escherichia coli strains and six other bacteria form inhibitory zones between colonies, which is not caused by nutrient depletion. This phenomenon was similarly observed with non-flagellated bacteria. We developed a square-streaking pattern assay which revealed that Escherichia coli BW25113 inhibits the growth of other E. coli, and surprisingly, other Gram-positive and negative bacteria, including multi-drug resistant clinical isolates. Altogether, our findings demonstrate intra-species inhibition is common and might be used by E. coli to inhibit other bacteria. Our findings raise the possibility for a common mechanism shared across bacteria for intra-species inhibition. This can be further explored for a potential new class of antibiotics.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57996-x |
| spellingShingle | Ertan Kastrat Hai-Ping Cheng Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria Scientific Reports |
| title | Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria |
| title_full | Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria |
| title_fullStr | Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria |
| title_short | Escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria |
| title_sort | escherichia coli has an undiscovered ability to inhibit the growth of both gram negative and gram positive bacteria |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-57996-x |
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