The luxS mutation causes loosely-bound biofilms in Shewanella oneidensis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The luxS gene in Shewanella oneidensis was shown to encode an autoinducer-2 (AI-2)-like molecule, the postulated universal bacterial signal, but the impaired biofilm growth of a luxS deficient mutant could not be restored by AI-2, indicating it might not have a signalling role in this organism.

Findings

Here, we provide further evidence regarding the metabolic role of a luxS mutation in S. oneidensis. We constructed a luxS mutant and compared its phenotype to a wild type control with respect to its ability to remove AI-2 from the medium, expression of secreted proteins and biofilm formation. We show that S. oneidensis has a cell-dependent mechanism by which AI-2 is depleted from the medium by uptake or degradation at the end of the exponential growth phase. As AI-

SUBMITTER: Bodor AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3146851 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature