Differential lipopolysaccharide core capping leads to quantitative and correlated modifications of mechanical and structural properties in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial biofilms are responsible for the majority of all microbial infections and have profound impact on industrial and geochemical processes. While many studies documented phenotypic differentiation and gene regulation of biofilms, the importance of their structural and mechanical properties is poorly understood. Here we investigate how changes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core capping in Pseudomonas aeruginosa affect biofilm structure through modification of adhesive, cohesive, and viscoelastic properties at an early stage of biofilm development. Microbead force spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize P. aeruginosa biofilm interactions with either glass substrata or bacterial lawns. Using isogenic migA, wapR, and rmlC mutants with defined LPS characteristics,

SUBMITTER: Lau PC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2795305 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature