A functional perspective on phenotypic heterogeneity in microorganisms

作者:Ackermann Martin*
来源:Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2015, 13(8): 497-508.
DOI:10.1038/nrmicro3491

摘要

Most microbial communities consist of a genetically diverse assembly of different organisms, and the level of genetic diversity plays an important part in community properties and functions. However, biological diversity also arises at a lower level of biological organization, between genetically identical cells that reside in the same microenvironment. In this Review, I outline the molecular mechanisms responsible for phenotypic heterogeneity and discuss how phenotypic heterogeneity allows genotypes to persist in fluctuating environments. I also describe how it promotes interactions between phenotypic subpopulations in clonal groups, providing microbial groups with new functionality.

  • 出版日期2015-8