The involvement of cell-to-cell signals in the development of a bacterial biofilm.
Bacteria in nature often exist as sessile communities called biofilms. These communities develop structures that are morphologically and physiologically differentiated from free-living bacteria. A cell-to-cell signal is involved in the development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. A specific signaling mutant, a lasI mutant, forms flat, undifferentiated biofilms that unlike wild-type biofilms are sensitive to the biocide sodium dodecyl sulfate. Mutant biofilms appeared normal when grown in the presence of a synthetic signal molecule. The involvement of an intercellular signal molecule in the development of P. aeruginosa biofilms suggests possible targets to control biofilm growth on catheters, in cystic fibrosis, and in other environments where P. aeruginosa biofilms are a persistent problem.
Davies
D G
DG
Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-3980, USA.
Parsek
M R
MR
Pearson
J P
JP
Iglewski
B H
BH
Costerton
J W
JW
Greenberg
E P
EP
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D008025:Ligases; D009154:Mutation; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate / Q000494:pharmacology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C081237:LasI protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; C109860:N-(3-oxododecanoyl)homoserine lactone; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012967:Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; D006714:Homoserine; D008025:Ligases; C096955:RHLI protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D015107:4-Butyrolactone