Symbiosis-independent and symbiosis-incompetent mutants of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J

Abstract

Symbiosis-independent (Sin) mutants were isolated from the symbiosis-dependent and symbiosis-competent (Sdcomp+) Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J. Independently isolated Sin mutants were examined for their symbiosis competence and most were found to be comp+. Bdellovibrios comp- were selected from the Sincomp+ mutants. The Sincomp+ bdellovibrios are always at a selective disadvantage, either against Sincomp- bdellovibrios (in organic medium) or against Sdcomp+ bdellovibrios (in buffer with Escherichia coli cells).