Biofilm formation by a Bacillus subtilis strain that produces gamma-polyglutamate.
The extracellular matrix produced by Bacillus subtilis B-1, an environmental strain that forms robust floating biofilms, was purified, and determined to be composed predominantly of gamma-polyglutamate (gamma-PGA), with a molecular mass of over 1,000 kDa. Both biofilm formation and gamma-PGA production by B. subtilis B-1 increased with increasing Mn(2+) or glycerol concentration. gamma-PGA was produced in a growth-associated manner in standing culture, and floating biofilms were formed. However, gamma-PGA was produced in a non-growth-associated manner in shaking culture conditions. When B. subtilis B-1 was grown in a microaerated culture system, floating biofilm formation and gamma-PGA production were significantly retarded, suggesting that oxygen depletion is involved in the initial steps of floating biofilm formation in standing culture. Proteomic analysis of membrane proteins demonstrated that flagellin, oligopeptide permease and Vpr protease precursor were the major proteins produced by cells in a floating biofilm and a colony.
Morikawa
Masaaki
M
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.|Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Kagihiro
Shinji
S
Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Haruki
Mitsuru
M
Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Takano
Kazufumi
K
Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Branda
Steve
S
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Kolter
Roberto
R
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Kanaya
Shigenori
S
Department of Material and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D003470:Culture Media; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005990:Glycerol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008345:Manganese / Q000494:pharmacology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D010933:Plankton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis; D040901:Proteomics
D003470:Culture Media; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D020543:Proteome; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D008345:Manganese; D005990:Glycerol; D010100:Oxygen