Open AccessHigh levels of cAMP inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation through reduction of the c-di-GMP content
Author(s) -
Henrik Almblad,
Morten Rybtke,
Saghar Hendiani,
Jens Bo Andersen,
Michael Givskov,
Tim TolkerNielsen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1465-2080
pISSN - 1350-0872
DOI - 10.1099/mic.0.000772
Subject(s) - biofilm , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , virulence , phosphodiesterase , mutant , chemistry , pathogen , biology , bacteria , enzyme , biochemistry , gene , genetics
The human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause both acute infections and chronic biofilm-based infections. Expression of acute virulence factors is positively regulated by cAMP, whereas biofilm formation is positively regulated by c-di-GMP. We provide evidence that increased levels of cAMP, caused by either a lack of degradation or increased production, inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. cAMP-mediated inhibition of P. aeruginosa biofilm formation required Vfr, and involved a reduction of the level of c-di-GMP, as well as reduced production of biofilm matrix components. A mutant screen and characterization of defined knockout mutants suggested that a subset of c-di-GMP-degrading phosphodiesterases is involved in cAMP-Vfr-mediated biofilm inhibition in P. aeruginosa.