Biofilms of the non-tuberculous <i>Mycobacterium chelonae</i> form an extracellular matrix and display distinct expression patterns.

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium chelonae is an environmental, non-tuberculous mycobacterial species, capable of causing infections in humans. Biofilm formation is a key strategy used by M. chelonae in colonising niches in the environment and in the host. We studied a water-air interface (pellicle) biofilm of M. chelonae using a wide array of approaches to outline the molecular structure and composition of the biofilm. Scanning electron micrographs showed that M. chelonae biofilms produced an extracellular matrix. Using a combination of biochemical analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy, we showed the matrix to consist of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and eDNA. Glucose was the predominant sugar present in the biofilm matrix, and its relative abundance decrease

SUBMITTER: Vega-Dominguez P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7421604 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature