Context-dependent siderophore exploitability shapes microbial community structure.

Siderophore exploitability in microbial communities is highly context-dependent, with stable coexistence observed when exploitation is constrained, as shown in a synthetic community.

• Why it matters: Understanding how siderophores influence microbial interactions is crucial because they are traditionally viewed as shared resources, yet their ecological roles in multispecies communities are not fully known. This knowledge gap limits insights into microbial community structure and stability.
• What they did: The study used a synthetic microbial community with Corynebacterium glutamicum and other species, examining how different siderophores, their uptake compatibility, and spatial structure shape iron competition through experiments and mathematical modeling.
• The result: Findings reveal that siderophore exploitation is limited by access and spatial factors, with Pseudomonas putida exploiting enterobactin while producing pyoverdine, which restricts other members' iron access, thereby influencing community coexistence or exclusion.