Fungal hyphae colonization by Bacillus subtilis relies on biofilm matrix components

Let’s Get Physical: Bacterial-Fungal Interactions and Their Consequences in Agriculture and Health

“…As the field of bacterial-fungal interactions grows, we begin to understand the implications that these interactions have not only on the microorganisms, but also on plant and human hosts. This review shows that there are several areas of overlapping commonalities between BFIs in agriculture and clinical settings, including the use of fungal structures for bacterial dispersal [ 11 , 62 , 63 , 73 ], using ECM for bacterial attachment [ 14 , 18 ], and developmental changes that can occur in both fungi and bacteria [ 43 , 49 ] ( Figure 2 ). It is possible that there are even more commonalities that have yet to be discovered, including endosymbiosis in clinical settings.…”

“…If any of these components are deleted from the genome of B. subtilis , the bacterium is no longer able to attach and form biofilms on the fungal surfaces. However, supplementing the matrix components back in facilitates the biofilm formation [ 18 ].…”

Fungal–bacterial interaction selects for quorum sensing mutants with increased production of natural antifungal compounds

“…2c ). Post-ST showed notable reduction in intensity of surfactin ions and of peaks with masses indicative of plipastatin, identified through spectrum library matching and feature-based molecular networking 3 , 21 , 22 . Importantly, post-ST clustered together with a B. subtilis NCBI 3610 surfactin-defective mutant 23 , confirming the role of surfactin in separation between the groups (Fig.…”

“…Antagonistic and mutualistic behaviors, mediated by the exchange of small diffusible secondary metabolites, facilitate microbial adaptation to the complex communal lifestyles. Among them, fungi and bacteria are found living together in a wide variety of soil environments frequently involved in complex interactions shaped by several molecular determinants, such as motility, quorum sensing (QS), bacterial secretion system, and secondary metabolites 2 , 3 .…”

Complete Genome Sequences of 13 Bacillus subtilis Soil Isolates for Studying Secondary Metabolite Diversity

“…Bacillus subtilis is the most studied bacterium of the bacilli due to its high potential for industrial production of proteins, its utilization as a plant biological, and its easy genetic modification (1). In addition, the biofilm development of B. subtilis has been intensely investigated under laboratory settings (2)(3)(4)(5) and during colonization of plant root (6)(7)(8) and fungal mycelia (9). The biocontrol potential of B. subtilis is determined by its ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites, including surfactin, plipastatin (or fengycin), and bacillaene (10).…”