biostudies-literatureFrenkel AEuropean Research Council10https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9981879biostudies-literatureUnknown9(1)Cyanobacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and play important roles in diverse environments, yet, understanding of the processes underlying the development of these aggregates is just emerging. Here we report cell specialization in formation of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 biofilms-a hitherto unknown characteristic of cyanobacterial social behavior. We show that only a quarter of the cell population expresses at high levels the four-gene ebfG-operon that is required for biofilm formation. Almost all cells, however, are assembled in the biofilm. Detailed characterization of EbfG4 encoded by this operon revealed cell-surface localization as well as its presence in the biofilm matrix. Moreover, EbfG1-3 were shown to form amyloid structures such as fibrils and are thus likely to contribute to NPJ biofilms and microbiomesCell specialization in cyanobacterial biofilm development revealed by expression of a cell-surface and extracellular matrix protein.PMC9981879820124Sendersky EBenichou JICGolden SSFrenkel AZecharia ESchwarz RGomez-Perez DParnasa RYegorov YJacob AKemen EStierhof YDfalseCell specialization in cyanobacterial biofilm development revealed by expression of a cell-surface and extracellular matrix protein.Cyanobacterial biofilms are ubiquitous and play important roles in diverse environments, yet, understanding of the processes underlying the development of these aggregates is just emerging. Here we report cell specialization in formation of Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 biofilms-a hitherto unknown characteristic of cyanobacterial social behavior. We show that only a quarter of the cell population expresses at high levels the four-gene ebfG-operon that is required for biofilm formation. Almost all cells, however, are assembled in the biofilm. Detailed characterization of EbfG4 encoded by this operon revealed cell-surface localization as well as its presence in the biofilm matrix. Moreover, EbfG1-3 were shown to form amyloid structures such as fibrils and are thus likely to contribute to 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2025-04-26T07:36:08.66Z2024-10-18T20:34:59.233ZS-EPMC99818793686409210.1038/s41522-023-00376-6