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Copyright Nature Publishing Group Dec 2014

Abstract

In their natural habitat, bacteria are consumed by bacterivorous nematodes; however, they are not simply passive preys. Here we report a defensive mechanism used by certain bacteria to mobilize nematode-trapping fungi to kill nematodes. These bacteria release urea, which triggers a lifestyle switch in the fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora from saprophytic to nematode-predatory form; this predacious form is characterized by formation of specialized cellular structures or 'traps'. The bacteria significantly promote the elimination of nematodes by A. oligospora. Disruption of genes involved in urea transport and metabolism in A. oligospora abolishes the urea-induced trap formation. Furthermore, the urea metabolite ammonia functions as a signal molecule in the fungus to initiate the lifestyle switch to form trap structures. Our findings highlight the importance of multiple predator-prey interactions in prey defense mechanisms.

Details

Title
Bacteria can mobilize nematode-trapping fungi to kill nematodes
Author
Wang, Xin; Li, Guo-hong; Zou, Cheng-gang; Ji, Xing-lai; Liu, Tong; Zhao, Pei-ji; Liang, Lian-ming; Xu, Jian-ping; An, Zhi-qiang; Zheng, Xi; Qin, Yue-ke; Tian, Meng-qing; Xu, You-yao; Ma, Yi-cheng; Yu, Ze-fen; Huang, Xiao-wei; Liu, Shu-qun; Niu, Xue-mei; Yang, Jin-kui; Huang, Ying; Zhang, Ke-qin
Pages
5776
Publication year
2014
Publication date
Dec 2014
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
20411723
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1636499668
Copyright
Copyright Nature Publishing Group Dec 2014