Distinct patterns in global gene expression reflect synergy in a multispecies biofilm. Gene expression patterns in multispecies biofilm

It is well known that bacteria often exist in naturally formed multispecies biofilms. Within these biofilms, interspecies interactions seem to play an important role in ecological processes. Little is known about the effects of interspecies interactions on gene regulations in these multispecies biofilms. This study presents a comparative gene expression analysis of the Xanthomonas retroflexus transcriptomes when grown in a single-species biofilm and in dual- and four-species consortia with Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Microbacterium oxydans and Paenibacillus amylolyticus. The results revealed complex interdependent interaction patterns in the multispecies biofilms. The majority of the observed downregulated genes was unique for the four-species biofilm and most likely reflects the molecular mechanisms behind observed synergistic effects in the multispecies biofilm.