title: Giant extracellular matrix binding protein expression in Staphylococcus epidermidis is regulated by biofilm formation and osmotic pressure.
abstract: Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic bacterium that thrives as a commensal cutaneous organism and as a vascular pathogen. The S. epidermidis extracellular matrix binding protein (Embp) has been reported to be a virulence factor involved in colonization of medical device implants and subsequent biofilm formation. Here, we characterize the expression patterns of Embp in planktonic and biofilm cultures, as well as under high osmotic stresses that typify the commensal environment of the skin. Embp expression without osmotic stress was similar for planktonic and adherent cultures. Addition of osmotic stress via NaCl caused slight increases in embp expression in planktonic cultures. However, in adherent cultures a 100-fold increase in embp expression with NaCl versus controls occurred and coincided with altered biofilm morphology. Results suggest that the central role of Embp lies in commensal skin colonization, stabilizing the cell wall against osmotic stresses, rather than as a virulence factor promoting adhesion.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Foege Hall, Room N310C, 3720 15th Avenue NE, PO Box 355061, Seattle, WA 98195-5061, USA.
authors: Jacqueline C
authors: JC
authors: Linnes
authors: Hongyan
authors: H
authors: Ma
authors: James D
authors: JD
authors: Bryers
mesh_terms: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000235:genetics*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D018441:Biofilms; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D011485:Protein Binding; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D037521:Virulence Factors
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