The role of iron in Mycobacterium smegmatis biofilm formation: the exochelin siderophore is essential in limiting iron conditions for biofilm formation but not for planktonic growth.

ABSTRACT: Many species of mycobacteria form structured biofilm communities at liquid-air interfaces and on solid surfaces. Full development of Mycobacterium smegmatis biofilms requires addition of supplemental iron above 1 microM ferrous sulphate, although addition of iron is not needed for planktonic growth. Microarray analysis of the M. smegmatis transcriptome shows that iron-responsive genes - especially those involved in siderophore synthesis and iron uptake - are strongly induced during biofilm formation reflecting a response to iron deprivation, even when 2 microM iron is present. The acquisition of iron under these conditions is specifically dependent on the exochelin synthesis and uptake pathways, and the strong defect of an iron-exochelin uptake mutant suggests a regulatory role of iron in

SUBMITTER: Ojha A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2170428 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature