Physiologic and proteomic evidence for a role of nitric oxide in biofilm formation by Nitrosomonas europaea and other ammonia oxidizers.
NO, a free radical gas, is the signal for Nitrosomonas europaea cells to switch between different growth modes. At an NO concentration of more than 30 ppm, biofilm formation by N. europaea was induced. NO concentrations below 5 ppm led to a reversal of the biofilm formation, and the numbers of motile and planktonic (motile-planktonic) cells increased. In a proteomics approach, the proteins expressed by N. europaea were identified. Comparison studies of the protein patterns of motile-planktonic and attached (biofilm) cells revealed several clear differences. Eleven proteins were found to be up or down regulated. Concentrations of other compounds such as ammonium, nitrite, and oxygen as well as different temperatures and pH values had no significant effect on the growth mode of and the proteins expressed by N. europaea.
Schmidt
Ingo
I
Department of Microbiology, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstrasse 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany. ingo.schmidt1@uni-bayreuth.de
Steenbakkers
Peter J M
PJ
op den Camp
Huub J M
HJ
Schmidt
Katrin
K
Jetten
Mike S M
MS
D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D043370:Nitrosomonas europaea / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D040901:Proteomics
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000641:Ammonia