The Cost of Virulence: Slower Growth of Salmonella Typhimurium with Type III Secretion System 1
Author Information
Author(s): Alexander Sturm, Matthias Heinemann, Markus Arnoldini, Arndt Benecke, Martin Ackermann, Matthias Benz, Jasmine Dormann, Wolf-Dietrich Hardt
Primary Institution: Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Does the expression of the type III secretion system in Salmonella Typhimurium impose a growth penalty?
Conclusion
The study found that Salmonella Typhimurium cells expressing the type III secretion system grow slower than those that do not express it.
Supporting Evidence
- Cells expressing the type III secretion system grew slower than those that did not.
- Growth retardation was linked to the expression of effector proteins.
- Mathematical modeling showed that the initiation rate of type III secretion system expression increased during late logarithmic growth.
Takeaway
Some bacteria have special tools to help them cause sickness, but using these tools can make them grow more slowly.
Methodology
The researchers used single-cell analysis and time-lapse microscopy to study the growth rates of Salmonella Typhimurium expressing the type III secretion system.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a non-host environment, which may not fully represent conditions in a living host.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.027
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website