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Influence of putative exopolysaccharide genes on Pseudomonas putida KT2440 biofilm stability
Author(s) -
Nilsson Martin,
Chiang WenChi,
Fazli Mustafa,
Gjermansen Morten,
Givskov Michael,
TolkerNielsen Tim
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2011.02447.x
Subject(s) - pseudomonas putida , biofilm , biology , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , pseudomonadales , pseudomonas , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
Summary We report a study of the role of putative exopolysaccharide gene clusters in the formation and stability of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 biofilm. Two novel putative exopolysaccharide gene clusters, pea and peb , were identified, and evidence is provided that they encode products that stabilize P. putida KT2440 biofilm. The gene clusters alg and bcs , which code for proteins mediating alginate and cellulose biosynthesis, were found to play minor roles in P. putida KT2440 biofilm formation and stability under the conditions tested. A P. putida KT2440 derivative devoid of any identifiable exopolysaccharide genes was found to form biofilm with a structure similar to wild‐type biofilm, but with a stability lower than that of wild‐type biofilm. Based on our data, we suggest that the formation of structured P. putida KT2440 biofilm can occur in the absence of exopolysaccharides; however, exopolysaccharides play a role as structural stabilizers.