Open AccessUse of lectins to in situ visualize glycoconjugates of extracellular polymeric substances in acidophilic archaeal biofilms
Author(s) -
Zhang R. Y.,
Neu T. R.,
Bellenberg S.,
Kuhlicke U.,
Sand W.,
Vera M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/1751-7915.12188
Subject(s) - archaea , biofilm , glycoconjugate , extracellular polymeric substance , chemistry , biochemistry , sulfur , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , organic chemistry , genetics , gene
Summary Biofilm formation and the production of extracellular polymeric substances ( EPS ) by meso‐ and thermoacidophilic metal‐oxidizing archaea on relevant substrates have been studied to a limited extent. In order to investigate glycoconjugates, a major part of the EPS , during biofilm formation/bioleaching by archaea on pyrite, a screening with 75 commercially available lectins by fluorescence lectin‐binding analysis ( FLBA ) has been performed. Three representative archaeal species, F erroplasma acidiphilum DSM 28986, S ulfolobus metallicus DSM 6482 T and a novel isolate A cidianus sp. DSM 29099 were used. In addition, A cidianus sp. DSM 29099 biofilms on elemental sulfur were studied. The results of FLBA indicate (i) 22 lectins bound to archaeal biofilms on pyrite and 21 lectins were binding to A cidianus sp. DSM 29099 biofilms on elemental sulfur; (ii) major binding patterns, e.g. tightly bound EPS and loosely bound EPS , were detected on both substrates; (iii) the three archaeal species produced various EPS glycoconjugates on pyrite surfaces. Additionally, the substratum induced different EPS glycoconjugates and biofilm structures of cells of A cidianus sp. DSM 29099. Our data provide new insights into interactions between acidophilic archaea on relevant surfaces and also indicate that FLBA is a valuable tool for in situ investigations on archaeal biofilms.