Mihael Špacapan (Author), Tjaša Danevčič (Author), Polonca Štefanič (Author), Michael Porter (Author), Nicola R. Stanley-Wall (Author), Ines Mandić-Mulec (Author)

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is often required for the formation of bacterial biofilms and is a popular target of biofilm control strategies. Previous studies implicate the ComQXPA quorum sensing system of Bacillus subtilis as a promoter of biofilm formation. Here, we report that ComX signaling peptide deficient mutants form thicker and more robust pellicle biofilms that contain chains of cells. We confirm that ComX positively affects the transcriptional activity of the P$_{epsA}$ promoter, which controls the synthesis of the major matrix polysaccharide. In contrast, ComX negatively controls the P$_{tapA}$ promoter, which drives the production of TasA, a fibrous matrix protein. Overall, the biomass of the mutant biofilm lacking ComX accumulates more monosaccharide and protein content than the wild type. We conclude that this QS phenotype might be due to extended investment into growth rather than spore development. Consistent with this, the ComX deficient mutant shows a delayed activation of the pre-spore specific promoter, P$_{spoIIQ}$, and a delayed, more synchronous commitment to sporulation. We conclude that ComX mediated early commitment to sporulation of the wild type slows down biofilm formation and modulates the coexistence of multiple biological states during the early stages of biofilm development.

Keywords

mikrobne združbe;Bacillus subtilis;zaznavanje kvaruma;biofilm;sporulacija;surfaktin;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 579.22/.26:579.852.11
COBISS: 24045827 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2076-2607
Views: 168
Downloads: 63
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: mikrobne združbe;Bacillus subtilis;zaznavanje kvoruma;biofilm;sporulacija;surfaktin;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-20
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ8
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ8
Chronology: 2020
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8081131
ID: 14101874