The amino acid valine is secreted in continuous-flow bacterial biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Biofilms are structured communities characterized by distinctive gene expression patterns and profound physiological changes compared to those of planktonic cultures. Here, we show that many gram-negative bacterial biofilms secrete high levels of a small-molecular-weight compound, which inhibits the growth of only Escherichia coli K-12 and a rare few other natural isolates. We demonstrate both genetically and biochemically that this molecule is the amino acid valine, and we provide evidence that valine production within biofilms results from metabolic changes occurring within high-density biofilm communities when carbon sources are not limiting. This finding identifies a natural environment in which bacteria can encounter high amounts of valine, and we propose that in-biofilm valine secret

SUBMITTER: Valle J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2223729 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature