title: Role of type 1 fimbriae and mannose in the development of Escherichia coli K12 biofilm: from initial cell adhesion to biofilm formation.
abstract: The influence of type 1 fimbriae, mannose-sensitive structures, on biofilm development and maturation has been examined by the use of three isogenic Escherichia coli K12 strains: wild type, fimbriated, and non-fimbriated. Experiments with the three strains were done in minimal medium or Luria-Bertani broth supplemented with different concentrations of d-mannose. The investigation consisted of: (1) characterizing the bacterial surface of the three strains with respect to hydrophilicity and surface charge, (2) investigating the effect of type 1 fimbriae on bacterial adhesion rate and reversibility of initial adhesion on glass surfaces, and (3) verifying the role of type 1 fimbriae and exopolysaccharides (EPS) in biofilm maturation. The results suggest that type 1 fimbriae are not required for the initial bacterial adhesion on glass surfaces as the non-fimbriated cells had higher adhesion rates and irreversible deposition. Type 1 fimbriae, however, are critical for subsequent biofilm development. It was hypothesized that in the biofilm maturation step, the cells synthesize mannose-rich EPS, which functions as a 'conditioning film' that can be recognized by the type 1 fimbriae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
authors.forename: Debora F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Menachem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elimelech
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D048168:Escherichia coli K12 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D005898:Glass; D008358:Mannose / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; C076610:fimbriae receptor, type 1; D008358:Mannose