title: Unraveling the resistance of microbial biofilms: has proteomics been helpful?
abstract: Biofilms are surface-attached, matrix-encased, structured microbial communities which display phenotypic features that are dramatically different from those of their free-floating, or planktonic, counterparts. Biofilms seem to be the preferred mode of growth of microorganisms in nature, and at least 65% of all human infections are associated with biofilms. The most notable and clinically relevant property of biofilms is their greater resistance to antimicrobials compared with their planktonic counterparts. Although both bacterial and fungal biofilms display this phenotypic feature, the exact mechanisms underlying their increased drug resistance are yet to be determined. Advances in proteomics techniques during the past decade have facilitated in-depth analysis of the possible mechanisms underpinning increased drug resistance in biofilms. These studies have demonstrated the ability of proteomics techniques to unravel new targets for combating microbial biofilms. In this review, we discuss the putative drug resistance mechanisms of microbial biofilms that have been uncovered by proteomics and critically evaluate the possible contribution of the new knowledge to future development in the field. We also summarize strategic uses of novel proteomics technologies in studies related to drug resistance mechanisms of microbial biofilms.
authors.affiliation: The University of Hong Kong, Oral Biosciences, Hong Kong. jaya@hku.hk
authors.forename: C Jayampath
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Seneviratne
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lijian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Sarah S W
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Thanuja D K
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Herath
authors.forename: Lakshman P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Samaranayake
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D025141:Drug Resistance, Fungal; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D053038:Quorum Sensing