Assessing the Non-Linear Predation Characteristics of Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD 100.

Abstract

Bacterial predation by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus HD 100 was well known, but has not been assessed about predation characteristics. In this study, using a bioluminescent E. coli strain as the prey, the characteristics of predation from the viewpoint of prey activity were elucidated. The loss of bioluminescence after the predation shows reliably correlation with the multiplicity of infection (MOI). This relationship was found to be non-linear, however, with higher MOI’s leading to proportionally larger losses. Modeling of the predation events suggests that this can be partially attributed to multiple predators attacking a single prey. Microscopic analysis confirmed this as the total number of E. coli prey cells, both free living and bdelloplast, decreased as the MOI increased, suggesting that the prey cells were being prematurely lysed.