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Access through your institution Buy or subscribe In natural ecosystems, non-pathogenic bacteria are consumed by bacterivorous nematodes, but microorganisms have evolved defence strategies
against their predators. Here, Wang _et al_. show that bacteria isolated from cow dung induce the formation of predatory structures in the fungus _Arthrobotrys oligospora_ to promote the
capture and elimination of nematodes. Bacteria increase the production and secretion of urea by upregulating the expression of arginase, which converts arginine into urea and ornithine;
secreted urea is taken up by the fungus via the urea transporter and catabolized to ammonia. Importantly, ammonia functions as a signalling molecule that promotes a lifestyle switch in _A.
oligospora_ from the saprophytic to the predacious stage, inducing the fungus to form trap structures and kill nematodes. These findings further our understanding of the complex
predator–prey interactions in microbial communities. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution ACCESS OPTIONS Access through your institution Subscribe to this
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support REFERENCES * Wang, X. et al. Bacteria can mobilize nematode-trapping fungi to kill nematodes. _Nature Commun._ http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6776 (2014) Download references Authors
* Andrea Du Toit View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Du
Toit, A. Setting a trap. _Nat Rev Microbiol_ 13, 68 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro3425 Download citation * Published: 16 January 2015 * Issue Date: February 2015 * DOI:
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