Open AccessEffect of Flagellar Mutations on Yersinia enterocolitica Biofilm Formation
Author(s) -
TaeJong Kim,
Benjamin E. Young,
Gregory Young
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.00222-08
Subject(s) - yersinia enterocolitica , flagellum , biofilm , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , biovar , mutant , gene , genetics
Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1B is one of a number of strains pathogenic to humans in the genusYersinia . It has three different type III secretion systems, Ysc, Ysa, and the flagella. In this study, the effect of flagella on biofilm formation was evaluated. In a panel of 31 mutantY. enterocolitica strains, we observed that mutations that abolish the structure or rotation of the flagella greatly reduce biofilm formation when the bacteria are grown under static conditions. These results were further evaluated by assessing biofilm formation under continuous culture using a flow cell chamber. The results confirmed the important contribution of flagella to the initiation of biofilm production but indicated that there are differences in the progression of biofilm development between static growth and flow conditions. Our results suggest that flagella play a critical role in biofilm formation inY. enterocolitica .