FIG 3.

Single deletions of upregulated E. coli genes do not impair mutualistic growth with R. palustris Nx. Shown are growth curves (A) and final cell densities (B) from cocultures pairing E. coli (Ec) mutants with deletions in highly upregulated genes with R. palustris (Rp) Nx. Final cell densities in panel B were taken at the final time point in panel A. Cocultures were started with a 1% inoculum of stationary-phase starter cocultures grown from single colonies. Error bars indicate standard deviations (n = 3). Different letters indicate statistical differences (P < 0.05), determined by one-way analysis of variance with Tukey's multiple-comparisons posttest.