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Developmental pathway for biofilm formation in curli‐producing Escherichia coli strains: role of flagella, curli and colanic acid
Author(s) -
PrigentCombaret Claire,
Prensier Gérard,
Le Thi Thanh Thuy,
Vidal Olivier,
Lejeune Philippe,
Dorel Corinne
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1046/j.1462-2920.2000.00128.x
Subject(s) - biofilm , flagellum , biology , adhesion , microbiology and biotechnology , escherichia coli , context (archaeology) , bacteria , motility , biochemistry , genetics , gene , chemistry , paleontology , organic chemistry
This work was performed to establish a model describing bacterial surface structures involved in biofilm development, in curli‐overproducing Escherichia coli K‐12 strains, at 30°C, and in minimal growth medium. Using a genetic approach, in association with observations of sessile communities by light and electron microscopic techniques, the role of protein surface structures, such as flagella and curli, and saccharidic surface components, such as the E. coli exopolysaccharide, colanic acid, was determined. We show that, in the context of adherent ompR234 strains, (i) flagellar motility is not required for initial adhesion and biofilm development; (ii) both primary adhesion to inert surfaces and development of multilayered cell clusters require curli synthesis; (iii) curli display direct interactions with the substratum and form interbacterial bundles, allowing a cohesive and stable association of cells; and (iv) colanic acid does not appear critical for bacterial adhesion and further biofilm development but contributes to the biofilm architecture and allows for the formation of voluminous biofilms.