Enterococcus faecalis produces abundant extracellular structures containing DNA in the absence of cell lysis during early biofilm formation.

ABSTRACT:

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Enterococcus faecalis is a common Gram-positive commensal bacterium of the metazoan gastrointestinal tract capable of biofilm formation and an opportunistic pathogen of increasing clinical concern. Dogma has held that biofilms are slow-growing structures, often taking days to form mature microcolonies. Here we report that extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an integral structural component of early E. faecalis biofilms (≤4 h postinoculation). Combining cationic dye-based biofilm matrix stabilization techniques with correlative immuno-scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescent techniques, we demonstrate that--in early E. faecalis biofilms--eDNA localizes to previously undescribed intercellular filamentous structures, as well as to thick mats of extruded extracellular matr

SUBMITTER: Barnes AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3413405 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature