Article
Evolutionary Transition from Pathogenicity to Commensalism: Global Regulator Mutations Mediate Fitness Gains through Virulence Attenuation.
Molecular biology and evolution - 1 Nov 2015
Jansen Gunther, Crummenerl Lena L, Gilbert Felix, Mohr Timm, Pfefferkorn Roxana, Thänert Robert, Rosenstiel Philip, Schulenburg Hinrich
Abstract excerpt
Symbiotic interactions are indispensable for metazoan function, but their origin and evolution remain elusive. We use a controlled evolution experiment to demonstrate the emergence of novel commensal interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an initially pathogenic bacterium, and a metazoan host, Caenorhabditis elegans. We show that commensalism evolves through loss of virulence, because it provides bacteria...
Read the complete abstract on PubMedTopics
Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.