Heavy Metal Ion Stress on Halobacterium salinarum R1 Planktonic Cells and Biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Halobacterium salinarum R1 is an extremely halophilic archaeon, able to attach to the surface and to form characteristic biofilm structures under physiological conditions. However, the effect of environmental stress factors like heavy metals on biofilms was still unknown. Here, we report on the first insights into H. salinarum biofilm formation when exposed to copper, nickel and zinc and describe the effects of metal ions on the architecture of mature biofilms. We also studied the effects on gene expression in planktonic cells. Investigation of planktonic growth and cell adhesion in the presence of sub-lethal metal concentrations yielded an up to 60% reduced adhesion in case of copper and a significantly enhanced adhesion in case of zinc, whereas nickel treatment had no effec

SUBMITTER: Volkel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6305349 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature