title: Atomic force microscopy of a ctpA mutant in Rhizobium leguminosarum reveals surface defects linking CtpA function to biofilm formation.
abstract: Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the surface ultrastructure, adhesive properties and biofilm formation of Rhizobium leguminosarum and a ctpA mutant strain. The surface ultrastructure of wild-type R. leguminosarum consists of tightly packed surface subunits, whereas the ctpA mutant has much larger subunits with loose lateral packing. The ctpA mutant strain is not capable of developing fully mature biofilms, consistent with its altered surface ultrastructure, greater roughness and stronger adhesion to hydrophilic surfaces. For both strains, surface roughness and adhesive forces increased as a function of calcium ion concentration, and for each, biofilms were thicker at higher calcium concentrations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Karla S L
authors.initials: KSL
authors.lastname: Signo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Vanderlinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Yost
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, Canada.
authors.forename: Tanya E S
authors.initials: TES
authors.lastname: Dahms
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009154:Mutation; D016961:Rhizobium leguminosarum / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D002122:Calcium Chloride