Contributions of Francisella tularensis subsp. novicida chitinases and Sec secretion system to biofilm formation on chitin.

ABSTRACT: Francisella tularensis, the zoonotic cause of tularemia, can infect numerous mammals and other eukaryotes. Although studying F. tularensis pathogenesis is essential to comprehending disease, mammalian infection is just one step in the ecology of Francisella species. F. tularensis has been isolated from aquatic environments and arthropod vectors, environments in which chitin could serve as a potential carbon source and as a surface for attachment and growth. We show that F. tularensis subsp. novicida forms biofilms during the colonization of chitin surfaces. The ability of F. tularensis to persist using chitin as a sole carbon source is dependent on chitinases, since mutants lacking chiA or chiB are attenuated for chitin colonization and biofilm formation in the absence of exogenous sugar.

SUBMITTER: Margolis JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2805214 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature