Changes in Spo0A~P pulsing frequency control biofilm matrix deactivation
Fig 7
0A ~ P amplitude and frequency control cell fate decision between biofilm matrix production and sporulation.
(Left panel) In fast-growing cells (i.e., under optimal conditions), biofilm matrix production and sporulation are not active. (Middle panel) At intermediate growth conditions (e.g., mild starvation), the amplitude of the 0A ~ P signal increases, its frequency decreases, and biofilm matrix production is activated stochastically in some cells (green line). The amplitude of the signal is not sufficient to trigger sporulation (pink line). (Right panel) Under slow growth conditions (e.g., prolonged starvation), the 0A ~ P amplitude increases, the frequency decreases, and the threshold to sustain matrix production (green line) increases (as shown in Fig 4C). The 0A ~ P signal fails to reach the threshold, and matrix production is deactivated. The 0A ~ P amplitude has been shown to reach the threshold necessary to trigger sporulation [20]. Yellow areas illustrate the DNA replication period. Dotted vertical lines represent the end of a cell cycle.