Premium
Disturbance of the bacterial cell wall specifically interferes with biofilm formation
Author(s) -
Bucher Tabitha,
OppenheimerShaanan Yaara,
Savidor Alon,
BloomAckermann Zohar,
KolodkinGal Ilana
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12346
Subject(s) - biofilm , teichoic acid , peptidoglycan , extracellular matrix , cell envelope , extracellular , cell wall , bacteria , microbiology and biotechnology , bacterial cell structure , biology , quorum sensing , extracellular polymeric substance , matrix (chemical analysis) , cell signaling , chemistry , signal transduction , biochemistry , escherichia coli , gene , genetics , chromatography
Summary In nature, bacteria communicate via chemical cues and establish complex communities referred to as biofilms, wherein cells are held together by an extracellular matrix. Much research is focusing on small molecules that manipulate and prevent biofilm assembly by modifying cellular signalling pathways. However, the bacterial cell envelope, presenting the interface between bacterial cells and their surroundings, is largely overlooked. In our study, we identified specific targets within the biosynthesis pathways of the different cell wall components (peptidoglycan, wall teichoic acids and teichuronic acids) hampering biofilm formation and the anchoring of the extracellular matrix with a minimal effect on planktonic growth. In addition, we provide convincing evidence that biofilm hampering by transglycosylation inhibitors and D ‐ L eucine triggers a highly specific response without changing the overall protein levels within the biofilm cells or the overall levels of the extracellular matrix components. The presented results emphasize the central role of the G ram‐positive cell wall in biofilm development, resistance and sustainment.