Self-produced exopolysaccharide is a signal that stimulates biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

ABSTRACT: Bacteria have a tendency to attach to surfaces and grow as structured communities called biofilms. Chronic biofilm infections are a problem because they tend to resist antibiotic treatment and are difficult to eradicate. Bacterial biofilms have an extracellular matrix that is usually composed of a mixture of polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. This matrix has long been assumed to play a passive structural and protective role for resident biofilm cells. Here we show that this view is an oversimplification and that the biofilm matrix can play an active role in stimulating its own synthesis. Working with the model biofilm bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we found that Psl, a major biofilm matrix polysaccharide for this species, acts as a signal to stimulate two diguanylate cyclases

SUBMITTER: Irie Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3528562 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature