J. B. McKinlay

Bacterial quorum sensing controls carbon metabolism to optimize growth in changing environmental conditions.

The paper shows that bacterial quorum sensing optimizes carbon metabolism by regulating methionine and tetrahydrofolate synthesis, enhancing growth in changing glucose conditions.

A purine salvage bottleneck leads to bacterial adenine cross-feeding

The paper identifies adenine as a cross-fed metabolite between Rhodopseudomonas palustris and E. coli, revealing a purine salvage bottleneck mechanism.

Nitrous oxide reduction by two partial denitrifying bacteria requires denitrification intermediates that cannot be respired

This study shows that partial denitrifying bacteria can sense and respond to denitrification intermediates they cannot use, revealing regulatory mechanisms for N2O reduction.

Oxygen depletion and nitric oxide stimulate type IV MSHA pilus retraction in Vibrio cholerae via activation of the phosphodiesterase CdpA

This study identifies oxygen depletion and nitric oxide as stimuli that trigger MSHA pilus retraction in V. cholerae via the phosphodiesterase CdpA.

Enhanced nutrient uptake is sufficient to drive emergent cross-feeding between bacteria

The paper shows that enhanced nutrient uptake by recipient bacteria, not increased excretion by producers, drives emergent cross-feeding in microbial communities.

Genome-wide analysis of Escherichia coli fitness determinants in a cross-feeding mutualism with Rhodopseudomonas palustris

This study identifies E. coli genes affecting fitness in a mutualistic cross-feeding relationship with R. palustris using RB-TnSeq, revealing both expected and unexpected genetic influences.

Reductive TCA cycle enzymes and reductive amino acid synthesis pathways contribute to electron balance in a Rhodospirillum rubrum Calvin cycle mutant

This study shows that reductive TCA cycle enzymes and reductive amino acid synthesis pathways help maintain electron balance in a Rhodospirillum rubrum Calvin cycle mutant growing on malate or fumarate.

Fermentative Escherichia coli makes a substantial contribution to H2 production in coculture with phototrophic Rhodopseudomonas palustris

This study quantifies the contribution of fermentative E. coli to H2 production in coculture with R. palustris, showing E. coli contributes 32-86% depending on ammonium excretion levels.

Cell aggregation and aerobic respiration facilitate survival of Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 in an aerobic minimal medium

This study identifies genetic factors and conditions that enable Zymomonas mobilis to form flocs and survive in aerobic minimal medium.

Phototrophic lactate utilization by Rhodopseudomonas palustris is stimulated by co-utilization with additional substrates

This study shows that Rhodopseudomonas palustris uses lactate more efficiently when combined with other substrates and exhibits substrate-specific carbon catabolite control.

Differential carbohydrate utilization and organic acid production by honey bee symbionts

The paper identifies metabolic variations among honey bee gut symbionts, showing that core microbes like Gilliamella produce organic acids, potentially contributing to honey bee weight gain.

An Escherichia coli nitrogen starvation response is important for mutualistic coexistence with Rhodopseudomonas palustris

The paper identifies an E. coli nitrogen starvation response as critical for stable mutualism with R. palustris through cross-feeding.

Diverse spatial organization of photosynthetic membranes among purple nonsulfur bacteria

The paper examines the spatial organization of photosynthetic membranes in purple nonsulfur bacteria, revealing species-specific patterns and their evolutionary implications.

Recipient-Biased Competition For A Cross-Fed Nutrient Is Required For Coexistence Of Microbial Mutualists

The paper investigates how competition for a shared cross-fed nutrient affects mutualism stability between microbial partners, finding that the recipient must have a competitive advantage to maintain the mutualism.

Pantothenate auxotrophy in Zymomonas mobilis ZM4 is due toa lack of aspartate decarboxylase activity

This study identifies the genetic basis for pantothenate auxotrophy in Zymomonas mobilis, showing it is due to the absence of the panD gene and the role of IlvC in compensating for the lack of PanE.

A Rhizobiales-specific unipolar polysaccharide adhesin contributes to Rhodopseudomonas palustris biofilm formation across diverse photoheterotrophic conditions

This paper identifies a Rhizobiales-specific unipolar polysaccharide adhesin essential for biofilm formation in R. palustris under photoheterotrophic conditions but not during photoautotrophy or aerobic respiration.

Growth-independent cross-feeding modifies boundaries for coexistence in a bacterial mutualism

The paper examines how nutrient limitation affects mutualistic bacterial cross-feeding and coexistence using experimental and theoretical approaches.