Emergence of Small Colony Variants (SCVs) is an adaptive strategy used by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to palliate O2 limitations

The ability to generate a subpopulation of Small Colony Variants (SCVs) is a conserved feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and could represent a key adaptive strategy to colonize and persist in multiple niches. However, very little is known about the role of the SCV phenotype, the conditions that promote its emergence and its possible involvement in an adaptive strategy. In the present work, we investigated the in vitro selective conditions promoting the emergence of SCVs from the prototypical strain PA14, which readily forms SCVs in non-agitated standing cultures. We found that O2 limitations, which cause a redox imbalance, is the main factor selecting for the SCV phenotype, which promotes survival of the population via formation of a biofilm at the air-liquid interface to access the electron acceptor. When this selective pressure is relieved by aeration or supplementation of an alternative electron acceptor, SCVs are barely detectable. We also observed that SCV emergence contributes to redox rebalancing, suggesting that it is involved in an adaptive strategy. We conclude that selection for the SCV phenotype is an adaptive solution adopted by P. aeruginosa to access poorly available O2. IMPORTANCEThe bacterium P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that thrives in many environments. It poses a significant health concern, notably because it is a causative agent of nosocomial infections and the most prevalent pathogen found in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis. In infected hosts, its persistence is often related to the emergence of an alternative phenotype known as Small Colony Variant (SCV). Identification of conditions selecting for the SCV phenotype contributes to knowledge regarding adaptive mechanisms exploited by P. aeruginosa to survive in multiple niches and persist during infections. Hindering this adaptation strategy could help control P. aeruginosa persistent infections.