title: Dispersal of Bap-mediated Staphylococcus aureus biofilm by proteinase K.
abstract: The dominant role of biofilm-associated protein (Bap) in Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development prompted us to investigate Bap as a potential target for proteinase-mediated biofilm dispersion. Biofilm assay in microtitre plates showed that proteinase K hampered the early adhesion of cells as well as biofilm development. Proteinase K treatment of 24- and 48-h-old biofilms showed enhanced dispersion of bap-positive S. aureus biofilm; however, proteinase K did not affect the bap-negative S. aureus biofilm. When antibiotics were used in combination with proteinase K, significant enhancement in antibiotic action was noticed against bap-positive S. aureus biofilm. This study establishes that antibiotics in combination with proteinase K can be used for controlling S. aureus biofilms in whose development Bap surface protein has a major role. We propose that Bap protein could be a potential target for therapeutic control of S. aureus infections (for example, bovine mastitis).
authors.affiliation: Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, Water and Steam Chemistry Division, BARC Facilities, Kalpakkam, India.
authors.forename: Sudhir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar Shukla
authors.forename: Toleti Subba
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002417:Cattle; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019286:Endopeptidase K / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C425726:Bap protein, Staphylococcus aureus; C048165:adhesin, Staphylococcus aureus; D019286:Endopeptidase K