Biology subjects

Stincone, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Stincone, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

The offensive role of the Bacillus extracellular matrix in driving metabolite-mediated dialogue and adaptive strategies with pathogenic fungi

Bacterial{square}fungal interactions have traditionally been attributed to secondary metabolites, but the role of the bacterial extracellular matrix (ECM) in shaping these relationships has remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the ECM protein TasA is a key mediator in the antagonistic interaction between Bacillus subtilis and Botrytis cinerea. TasA enables Bacillus to tightly adhere to fungal hyphae, disrupts the {beta}-glucan layer, and compromises fungal cytoskeletal integrity synergistically with fengycin, which causes cytological damage. Additionally, TasA acts as a carrier for bacillaene, amplifying its fungistatic activity. In response, B. cinerea mounts a multifaceted defense, enzymatically degrading fengycin, producing antibacterial oxylipins, and activating adaptive programs such as hyphal branching and chlamydospore formation. Our findings reveal the previously unrecognized role of ECM components in fungal suppression and the modulation of fungal adaptive responses. This study reveals the complex interplay between microbial aggression and defense, providing new insights into the ecological dynamics of microbial competition and coexistence.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2024

Strong pairwise Interactions do not Drive Interactions in a Plant Leaf Associated Microbial Community

Microbial communities that promote plant growth show promise in reducing the impacts of climate change on plant health and productivity. Understanding microbe-microbe interactions in a community context is paramount for designing effective microbial consortia that enhance plant resilience. In this study, we investigated the dynamics of a synthetic microbial community (SynCom) assembled from Arabidopsis thaliana leaves to elucidate factors shaping community composition and stability. We found notable disparities between in vitro pairwise interactions and those inferred from correlation networks in planta. Our findings suggested that secondary metabolites, particularly antimicrobials, might mediate interactions in vitro, but fade into the background in the community context. Through co-cultivation experiments, we identified the siderophore pseudobactin as a potent antimicrobial agent against several SynCom members, but its impact on community composition in planta was negligible. Notably, dominant SynCom members, such as Pseudomonas koreensis, Flavobacterium pectinovorum, and Sporobolomyces roseus, exhibited only positive correlations, suggesting synergism based on for example exopolysaccharides and biotransformation might drive community dynamics rather than competition. Two correlations between SynCom members in the co-abundance network corresponded with their pairwise in vitro interactions, highlighting the potential for further research, and demonstrating the usefulness of correlation networks in identifying key microbe-microbe interactions. Our findings highlight the importance of considering microbiome-wide interaction studies and synthetic communities in understanding and manipulating plant microbiomes.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Cyclo(Pro-Tyr) elicits conserved cellular damage in fungi by targeting the ATPase Pma1 in plasma membrane domains

Bioactive metabolites play a crucial role in shaping interactions among diverse organisms. In this study, we identified cyclo(Pro-Tyr), a metabolite produced by Bacillus velezensis, as a potent inhibitor of Botrytis cinerea and Caenorhabditis elegans, two potential cohabitant eukaryotic organisms. Based on our investigation, cyclo(Pro-Tyr) disrupts plasma membrane polarization, induces oxidative stress and increases membrane fluidity, which compromises fungal membrane integrity. These cytological and physiological changes induced by cyclo(Pro-Tyr) may be triggered by the destabilization of membrane microdomains containing the [H+]ATPase Pma1. In response to cyclo(Pro-Tyr) stress, fungal cells activate a transcriptomic and metabolomic response, which primarily involves lipid metabolism and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) detoxification, to mitigate membrane damage. This similar response occurs in the nematode C. elegans, suggesting that cyclo(Pro-Tyr) universally targets eukaryotic cellular membranes.

microbiology↗