Autoinducer-2 triggers the oxidative stress response in Mycobacterium avium, leading to biofilm formation.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium avium is an environmental organism and opportunistic pathogen with inherent resistance to drugs, environmental stresses, and the host immune response. To adapt to these disparate conditions, M. avium must control its transcriptional response to environmental cues. M. avium forms biofilms in various environmental settings, including drinking water pipes and potable water reservoirs. In this study, we investigated the role of the universal signaling molecule autoinducer-2 (AI-2) in biofilm formation by M. avium. The addition of the compound to planktonic M. avium cultures resulted in increased biofilm formation. Microarray and reverse transcriptase PCR studies revealed an upregulation of the oxidative stress response upon addition of AI-2. This suggests that the response to AI-

SUBMITTER: Geier H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2268301 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature