Open AccessSignaling events that occur when cells ofEscherichia coliencounter a glass surface
Author(s) -
Alina M. Vrabioiu,
Howard C. Berg
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2116830119
Subject(s) - intracellular , escherichia coli , biophysics , guanosine , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , signal transduction , biochemistry , biofilm , biology , bacteria , gene , genetics
Significance Microbial cells organized on solid surfaces are the most ancient form of biological communities. Yet how single cells interact with surfaces and integrate a variety of signals to establish a sessile lifestyle is poorly understood. We developed and used sensitive biosensors to determine the kinetics of second messengers’ responses to surface attachment. This allowed us to examine cell-by-cell variability of the initial signaling events and establish that some of these events depend on flagellar motor function while others do not. Environmentally determined factors, like the energetic status of the cell, can modulate all signaling events. The complex interplay between the surface interaction inputs and external conditions can now be studied using our system.