F1C fimbriae play an important role in biofilm formation and intestinal colonization by the Escherichia coli commensal strain Nissle 1917.
Bacterial biofilm formation is thought to enhance survival in natural environments and during interaction with hosts. A robust colonizer of the human gastrointestinal tract, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, is widely employed in probiotic therapy. In this study, we performed a genetic screen to identify genes that are involved in Nissle biofilm formation. We found that F1C fimbriae are required for biofilm formation on an inert surface. In addition, these structures are also important for adherence to epithelial cells and persistence in infant mouse colonization. The data suggest a possible connection between Nissle biofilm formation and the survival of this commensal within the host. Further study of the requirements for robust biofilm formation may improve the therapeutic efficacy of Nissle 1917.
Lasaro
Melissa A
MA
Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Salinger
Nina
N
Zhang
Jing
J
Wang
Yantao
Y
Zhong
Zhengtao
Z
Goulian
Mark
M
Zhu
Jun
J
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D002460:Cell Line; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000382:microbiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D016254:Mutagenesis, Insertional
D004251:DNA Transposable Elements