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DNABII proteins play a central role in UPEC biofilm structure
Author(s) -
Devaraj Aishwarya,
Justice Sheryl S.,
Bakaletz Lauren O.,
Goodman Steven D.
Publication year - 2015
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.12994
Subject(s) - biofilm , biology , protein subunit , microbiology and biotechnology , context (archaeology) , extracellular matrix , escherichia coli , extracellular , bacteria , genetics , gene , paleontology
Summary Most chronic and recurrent bacterial infections involve a biofilm component, the foundation of which is the extracellular polymeric substance ( EPS ). Extracellular DNA (e DNA ) is a conserved and key component of the EPS of pathogenic biofilms. The DNABII protein family includes integration host factor ( IHF ) and histone‐like protein ( HU ); both are present in the extracellular milieu. We have shown previously that the DNABII proteins are often found in association with e DNA and are critical for the structural integrity of bacterial communities that utilize e DNA as a matrix component. Here, we demonstrate that uropathogenic E scherichia coli ( UPEC ) strain UTI 89 incorporates e DNA within its biofilm matrix and that the DNABII proteins are not only important for biofilm growth, but are limiting; exogenous addition of these proteins promotes biofilm formation that is dependent on e DNA . In addition, we show that both subunits of IHF , yet only one subunit of HU ( HupB ), are critical for UPEC biofilm development. We discuss the roles of these proteins in context of the UPEC EPS .