A regulatory network involving Rpo, Gac and Rsm for nitrogen-fixing biofilm formation by Pseudomonas stutzeri.

ABSTRACT: Biofilm and nitrogen fixation are two competitive strategies used by many plant-associated bacteria; however, the mechanisms underlying the formation of nitrogen-fixing biofilms remain largely unknown. Here, we examined the roles of multiple signalling systems in the regulation of biofilm formation by root-associated diazotrophic P. stutzeri A1501. Physiological analysis, construction of mutant strains and microscale thermophoresis experiments showed that RpoN is a regulatory hub coupling nitrogen fixation and biofilm formation by directly activating the transcription of pslA, a major gene involved in the synthesis of the Psl exopolysaccharide component of the biofilm matrix and nifA, the transcriptional activator of nif gene expression. Genetic complementation studies and determination of

SUBMITTER: Shang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8249394 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature