Molecular and regulatory properties of a public good shape the evolution of cooperation

摘要: Public goods cooperation abounds in nature, occurring organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. Although previous research focused on the behavioral and ecological conditions favoring cooperation, question of whether molecular regulatory properties public good itself can influence selection for has received little attention. Using a metapopulation model, we show that extended durability good—allowing multiple reuse across generations—greatly reduces cheating if (and only if) production is facultatively regulated. To test apparent synergy between facultative regulation, examined iron-scavenging pyoverdin molecules by bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cooperative behavior regulated response iron availability. We very durable significantly enhances fitness. Consistent with our found nonsiderophore-producing mutants (cheats) had relative fitness advantage over siderophore producers (cooperators) when was low but not high. This because cooperators reduced their investment enough accumulated media—a cost-saving strategy minimized ability cheats invade. These findings how acts shape costs benefits cooperation.