Open AccessGrowth, Development, and Gene Expression in a Persistent Streptococcus gordonii Biofilm
Author(s) -
Keeta S. Gilmore,
Pravina Srinivas,
Darrin R. Akins,
Kenneth Hatter,
Michael S. Gilmore
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
infection and immunity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1070-6313
pISSN - 0019-9567
DOI - 10.1128/iai.71.8.4759-4766.2003
Subject(s) - streptococcus gordonii , biofilm , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , gene expression , population , fructose , bacteria , genetics , biochemistry , demography , sociology
A model for the protracted (30-day) colonization of smooth surfaces by Streptococcus gordonii that incorporates the nutrient flux that occurs in the oral cavity was developed. This model was used to characterize the biphasic expansion of the adherent bacterial population, which corresponded with the emergence of higher-order architectures characteristic of biofilms. Biofilm formation by S. gordonii was observed to be influenced by the presence of simple sugars including sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Real-time PCR was used to quantify changes in expression of S. gordonii genes known or thought to be involved in biofilm formation. Morphological changes were accompanied by a significant shift in gene expression patterns. The majority of S. gordonii genes examined were observed to be downregulated in the biofilm phase. Genes found to be upregulated in the biofilm state were observed to encode products related to environmental sensing and signaling.