title: Dormancy within Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms: a transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq.
abstract: The proportion of dormant bacteria within Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms may determine its inflammatory profile. Previously, we have shown that S. epidermidis biofilms with higher proportions of dormant bacteria have reduced activation of murine macrophages. RNA-sequencing was used to identify the major transcriptomic differences between S. epidermidis biofilms with different proportions of dormant bacteria. To accomplish this goal, we used an in vitro model where magnesium allowed modulation of the proportion of dormant bacteria within S. epidermidis biofilms. Significant differences were found in the expression of 147 genes. A detailed analysis of the results was performed based on direct and functional gene interactions. Biological processes among the differentially expressed genes were mainly related to oxidation-reduction processes and acetyl-CoA metabolic processes. Gene set enrichment revealed that the translation process is related to the proportion of dormant bacteria. Transcription of mRNAs involved in oxidation-reduction processes was associated with higher proportions of dormant bacteria within S. epidermidis biofilm. Moreover, the pH of the culture medium did not change after the addition of magnesium, and genes related to magnesium transport did not seem to impact entrance of bacterial cells into dormancy.
authors: Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering (IBB), Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Carvalhais
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: França
authors: Filipe
authors: F
authors: Cerca
authors: Rui
authors: R
authors: Vitorino
authors: Gerald B
authors: GB
authors: Pier
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Vilanova
authors: Nuno
authors: N
authors: Cerca
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008274:Magnesium / Q000378:metabolism; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D008274:Magnesium