The Production of Curli Amyloid Fibers Is Deeply Integrated into the Biology of Escherichia coli.

ABSTRACT: Curli amyloid fibers are the major protein component of the extracellular matrix produced by Enterobacteriaceae during biofilm formation. Curli are required for proper biofilm development and environmental persistence by Escherichia coli. Here, we present a complete and vetted genetic analysis of functional amyloid fiber biogenesis. The Keio collection of single gene deletions was screened on Congo red indicator plates to identify E. coli mutants that had defective amyloid production. We discovered that more than three hundred gene products modulated curli production. These genes were involved in fundamental cellular processes such as regulation, environmental sensing, respiration, metabolism, cell envelope biogenesis, transport, and protein turnover. The alternative sigma factors, σS and

SUBMITTER: Smith DR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5745457 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature