Horizontal Transfer of Bacteriocin Biosynthesis Genes Requires Metabolic Adaptation To Improve Compound Production and Cellular Fitness
Sophia Krauss, Theresa Harbig, Johanna Rapp, Timm Schaefle, Mirita Franz‐Wachtel, Leonie Reetz, Ahmed M. A. Elsherbini, Boris Maček, Stephanie Grond, Hannes Link, Kay Nieselt, Bernhard Krismer, Andreas Peschel, Simon Heilbronner
Abstract
Human microbiomes are critically associated with human health and disease. Importantly, pathogenic bacteria can hide in human-associated communities and can cause disease when the composition of the community becomes unbalanced. Bacteriocin-producing commensals are able to displace pathogens from microbial communities, suggesting that their targeted introduction into human microbiomes might prevent pathogen colonization and infection. However, to develop probiotic approaches, strains are needed that produce high levels of bioactive compounds and retain cellular fitness within mixed bacterial communities. Our work offers insights into the metabolic burdens associated with the production of the bacteriocin micrococcin P1 and highlights evolutionary strategies that increase cellular fitness in the context of production. Metabolic adaptations are most likely broadly relevant for bacteriocin producers and need to be considered for the future development of effective microbiome editing strategies.