Root-derived reactive oxygen species spatially pattern bacterial cell-type differentiation during root colonization
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Phenotypic heterogeneity is an acclimation strategy in bacteria to cope with fluctuating environments and host immunity through cellular specialization. In the rhizosphere, how root-associated bacteria respond to plant defense signals and whether plants actively shape colonization through bacterial cell-type decisions, remains poorly understood. Cell type-resolved, spatiotemporal mapping of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus velezensis colonizing Arabidopsis thaliana roots reveals dynamic transitions between flagellated and matrix-producing cell states. We identify an RBOHD-dependent, spatially heterogeneous oxidative landscape generated by the plant as a key regulator of bacterial cell-state balance. We show that exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) not only promotes differentiation into matrix-producing Bacillus cells, but ROS acclimation is also a prerequisite for cell type switching and stable association. Our findings demonstrate that bacterial stress evasion and acclimation to the host’s oxidative landscape are key steps in a host-microbe feedback system enabling stable rhizoplane colonization.
Source: Research Square
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7160851165