Emergence of biofilm-forming subpopulations upon exposure of Escherichia coli to environmental bacteriophages.
Exposure of Escherichia coli MG1655 to environmental bacteriophages results in rapid selection for phage-tolerant subpopulations displaying increased biofilm formation. Analysis of one phage-tolerant strain revealed large amounts of the DNA-binding Dps protein in the outer membrane protein and production of fimbria-like structures. In dps and fimA mutant derivatives of MG1655, no selection of phage-tolerant bacteria upon exposure to bacteriophages occurred, suggesting a role for Dps and type I pili in bacteriophage tolerance.
Lacqua
Andrea
A
Department of Chemical, Food, Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, A. Avogadro, Via Bovio 6, Novara 28100, Italy.
Wanner
Oskar
O
Colangelo
Teresa
T
Martinotti
Maria Giovanna
MG
Landini
Paolo
P
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D003090:Coliphages / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000145:classification* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000821:virology*; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins; D010641:Phenotype; D012722:Sewage / Q000821:virology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C083911:DPS protein, Bacteria; D012722:Sewage; C063055:fimbrillin; D036781:Fimbriae Proteins