Open AccessLapF and Its Regulation by Fis Affect the Cell Surface Hydrophobicity of Pseudomonas putida
Author(s) -
Andrio Lahesaare,
Hanna Ainelo,
Annika Teppo,
Maia Kivisaar,
Hermann J. Heipieper,
Riho Teras
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0166078
Subject(s) - pseudomonas putida , flow cytometry , bacteria , cell , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , contact angle , cell membrane , biophysics , biochemistry , biology , chemical engineering , genetics , engineering
The ability of bacteria to regulate cell surface hydrophobicity is important for the adaptation to different environmental conditions. The hydrophobicity of cell surface can be determined by several factors, including outer membrane and surface proteins. In this study, we report that an adhesin LapF influences cell surface hydrophobicity of Pseudomonas putida . Cells lacking LapF are less hydrophobic than wild-type cells in stationary growth phase. Moreover, the overexpression of the global regulator Fis decreases surface hydrophobicity by repressing the expression of lapF . Flow cytometry analysis revealed that bacteria producing LapF are more viable when confronted with methanol (a hydrophilic compound) but are more susceptible to 1-octanol (a hydrophobic compound). Thus, these results revealed that LapF is the hydrophobicity factor for the cell surface of P . putida .