Multiscale heterogeneity in filamentous microbes

Boris Zacchetti; Han A B Wösten; Dennis Claessen

doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.10.002

Multiscale heterogeneity in filamentous microbes

Biotechnol Adv. 2018 Dec;36(8):2138-2149. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.10.002. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Authors

Boris Zacchetti¹, Han A B Wösten², Dennis Claessen³

Affiliations

¹ Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.
² Microbiology, Department of Biology, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
³ Microbial Biotechnology, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylviusweg 72, 2333, BE, Leiden, The Netherlands.. Electronic address: D.Claessen@biology.leidenuniv.nl.

PMID: 30292788
DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.10.002

Abstract

Microbial cells within clonal populations can display different morphologies or carry out different tasks. This heterogeneity is beneficial at the population level and allows microbes to spread risk or separate incompatible activities. Heterogeneity is also evident in filamentous bacteria and fungi, which form mycelial networks consisting of interconnected hyphae. Here, heterogeneity is observed between clonal mycelial particles, between different zones of colonies, between adjacent hyphae and even between adjacent compartments of individual hyphae. In this review, we compare this multiscale heterogeneity in filamentous bacteria and fungi and discuss the underlying mechanisms. These mechanisms might provide targets to improve the exploitability of these organisms as cell factories in the biotech sector.

Keywords: Actinomycetes; Biotechnology; Fungi; Heterogeneity; Multicellularity.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Bacteria*
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
Biotechnology*
Fungi* / cytology
Fungi* / physiology
Hyphae / cytology
Hyphae / physiology
Phenotype