Cited by 521Bacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyGene Regulatory Network AnalysisEvolution and Genetic Dynamics

Microbial Cell Individuality and the Underlying Sources of Heterogeneity

Avery, Simon V.·2006·Nature Reviews Microbiology

Abstract

Single cells in genetically homogeneous microbial cultures exhibit marked phenotypic individuality, a biological phenomenon that is considered to bolster the fitness of populations. Major phenotypes that are characterized by heterogeneity span the breadth of microbiology, in fields ranging from pathogenicity to ecology. The cell cycle, cell ageing and epigenetic regulation are proven drivers of heterogeneity in several of the best-known phenotypic examples. However, the full contribution of factors such as stochastic gene expression is yet to be realized.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nrmicro1460

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130 of 130 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In prokaryotes, intercellular communication and multicellular coordination are widespread and influence the expression and intensity of multiple phenotypes.

    “In procaryotes, intercellular communication and multicellular coordination are widespread and influence the expression and intensity of multiple phenotypes [6,8,9,10,11,12].”
  • Microbial populations gain an advantage from formation of variant subpopulations arising from phenotypic heterogeneity and genotypic variations, which may be better adapted to withstand environmental perturbations and exploit novel ecological niches.

    “Microbial populations gain an advantage from the formation of variant subpopulations—arising from both phenotypic heterogeneity and genotypic variations (e.g., genome rearrangements and mutations)—which may be better adapted to withstand environmental perturbations and exploit novel ecological niches [6].”

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Authors
Avery, S. V.
Affiliations
University of Nottingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Avery, Simon V.
Venue
Nature Reviews Microbiology
Published
2006-08
Volume
4
Issue
8
Pages
577-587
ISSN
  • 1740-1526 (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-1534
OpenAlex
W2019462270
Cited by
521
References
130
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 32 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 38
FWCI
2.22
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gene Regulatory Network Analysis
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Keywords
phenotypic heterogeneity, cell cycle, cellular aging, epigenetic regulation, stochastic gene expression, population fitness, pathogenicity, microbial ecology
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Antigens, Surface, Bacteria, Cell Cycle, Chemotaxis, DNA Damage, Drug Resistance, Microbial, Phenotype, Spores, Bacterial, Genetic Variation, Gene Expression, Genes, Reporter, Bacterial Physiological Phenomena

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