Metabolic Heterogeneity and Cross-Feeding in Bacterial Multicellular Systems

Trends Microbiol. 2020 Sep;28(9):732-743. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.03.008. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Abstract

Cells in assemblages differentiate and perform distinct roles. Though many pathways of differentiation are understood at the molecular level in multicellular eukaryotes, the elucidation of similar processes in bacterial assemblages is recent and ongoing. Here, we discuss examples of bacterial differentiation, focusing on cases in which distinct metabolisms coexist and those that exhibit cross-feeding, with one subpopulation producing substrates that are metabolized by a second subpopulation. We describe several studies of single-species systems, then segue to studies of multispecies metabolic heterogeneity and cross-feeding in the clinical setting. Many of the studies described exemplify the application of new techniques and modeling approaches that provide insights into metabolic interactions relevant for bacterial growth outside the laboratory.

Keywords: biofilms; metabolite exchange; microfluidics; phenotypic diversity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacteria / growth & development*
  • Bacteria / metabolism*
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways*
  • Microbial Interactions*
  • Microfluidics / methods