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When the swimming gets tough, the tough form a biofilm
Author(s) -
Belas Robert
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1111/mmi.12354
Subject(s) - flagellum , biology , biofilm , flagellin , bacillus subtilis , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , motility , caulobacter crescentus , transcription (linguistics) , vibrio , genetics , bacterial protein , linguistics , philosophy
Summary Bacteria live either as independent planktonic cells or as members of surface‐attached communities called biofilms. Motility and biofilm development are mutually exclusive events, and control of the phase of this ‘swim‐or‐stick’ switch involves the ability of the bacterium to sense and respond appropriately to a surface. C airns et al . (2013) report that the B acillus subtilis flagellum functions in surface‐sensing. Using mutants of B . subtilis that prevent flagellum rotation, they measured the expression and activity of DegU , the response regulator of the two‐component DegS – DegU circuit. DegU activity and degU transcription increased when flagellum rotation was prevented, and were dependent on the DegS kinase. Inhibiting flagellar rotation by overexpressing the EpsE flagellar ‘clutch’ or addition of anti‐flagellin antiserum also increased degU transcription and activity. These results suggest B . subtilis senses restriction of flagellum rotation as the cell nears a surface. Inhibition of the flagellum activates the DegS – DegU circuit to turn on biofilm formation, i.e. the flagellum is acting as a mechanosensor of surfaces. B . subtilis joins an ever‐expanding group of bacteria, including species of V ibrio , P roteus and C aulobacter that use the flagellum as a surface sensor.