Open AccessThe chemotaxis‐like Che1 pathway has an indirect role in adhesive cell properties of A zospirillum brasilense
Author(s) -
Siuti Piro,
Green Calvin,
Edwards Amanda Nicole,
Doktycz Mitchel J.,
Alexandre Gladys
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2011.02366.x
Subject(s) - azospirillum brasilense , chemotaxis , biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , signal transduction , biophysics , extracellular matrix , cell , confocal microscopy , biology , chemistry , bacteria , biochemistry , receptor , microbial inoculant , genetics
The A zospirillum brasilense chemotaxis‐like Che1 signal transduction pathway was recently shown to modulate changes in adhesive cell surface properties that, in turn, affect cell‐to‐cell aggregation and flocculation behaviors rather than flagellar‐mediated chemotaxis. Attachment to surfaces and root colonization may be functions related to flocculation. Here, the conditions under which A . brasilense wild‐type Sp7 and che1 mutant strains attach to abiotic and biotic surfaces were examined using in vitro attachment and biofilm assays combined with atomic force microscopy and confocal microscopy. The nitrogen source available for growth is found to be a major modulator of surface attachment by A . brasilense and could be promoted in vitro by lectins, suggesting that it depends on interaction with surface‐exposed residues within the extracellular matrix of cells. However, Che1‐dependent signaling is shown to contribute indirectly to surface attachment, indicating that distinct mechanisms are likely underlying flocculation and attachment to surfaces in A . brasilense .