Cholate-stimulated biofilm formation by Lactococcus lactis cells.

ABSTRACT: Bile acid resistance by Lactococcus lactis depends on the ABC-type multidrug transporter LmrCD. Upon deletion of the lmrCD genes, cells can reacquire bile acid resistance upon prolonged exposure to cholate, yielding the ΔlmrCD(r) strain. The resistance mechanism in this strain is non-transporter based. Instead, cells show a high tendency to flocculate, suggesting cell surface alterations. Contact angle measurements demonstrate that the ΔlmrCD(r) cells are equipped with an increased cell surface hydrophilicity compared to those of the parental and wild-type strains, while the surface hydrophilicity is reduced in the presence of cholate. ΔlmrCD(r) cells are poor in biofilm formation on a hydrophobic polystyrene surface, but in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of cholate, biofilm

SUBMITTER: Zaidi AH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3126353 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature