Cytochrome bd promotes Escherichia coli biofilm antibiotic tolerance by regulating accumulation of noxious chemicals.

ABSTRACT: Nutrient gradients in biofilms cause bacteria to organize into metabolically versatile communities capable of withstanding threats from external agents including bacteriophages, phagocytes, and antibiotics. We previously determined that oxygen availability spatially organizes respiration in uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilms, and that the high-affinity respiratory quinol oxidase cytochrome bd is necessary for extracellular matrix production and biofilm development. In this study we investigate the physiologic consequences of cytochrome bd deficiency in biofilms and determine that loss of cytochrome bd induces a biofilm-specific increase in expression of general diffusion porins, leading to elevated outer membrane permeability. In addition, loss of cytochrome bd impedes the proton medi

SUBMITTER: Beebout CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8052454 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature