Native plasmids restrict growth of Phaeobacter inhibens DSM 17395: Energetic costs of plasmids assessed by quantitative physiological analyses

Summary Plasmid carriage is associated with energetic costs, and thus only those plasmids providing fitness benefits are stably maintained in the host lineage. Marine bacteria of the Roseobacter clade harbor up to 11 extrachromosomal replicons, adding lifestyle‐relevant and possibly habitat success‐promoting functions to their genomic repertoire. Phaeobacter inhibens DSM 17395 is a nutritionally versatile representative, carrying three stable and functionally distinct plasmids (65, 78, and 262 kb). The present study investigates the physiological and energetic consequences of plasmid carriage in P. inhibens DSM 17395, employing mutants cured from all native plasmids in every possible combination (seven different). Cultivation in process‐controlled bioreactors with casamino acids as organic substrate revealed a complex physiological response, suggesting existence of functional interconnections between the replicons. Deletion of the 262 kb plasmid boosted growth rate (>3‐fold) and growth efficiency (yields for carbon, O2 and CO2), which was not observed for the 65 or 78 kb plasmid. Carriage of the 262 kb plasmid was most costly for the wild type, i.e. contributing ∼50% to its energetic (dissimilatory) expenditures. Cost–benefit analysis of plasmid carriage reflects the high value of plasmids for niche specialization of P. inhibens DSM 17395 and most likely also for related Phaeobacter species.