Dataset Information

Crenarchaeal biofilm formation under extreme conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Biofilm formation has been studied in much detail for a variety of bacterial species, as it plays a major role in the pathogenicity of bacteria. However, only limited information is available for the development of archaeal communities that are frequently found in many natural environments.

Methodology

We have analyzed biofilm formation in three closely related hyperthermophilic crenarchaeotes: Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, S. solfataricus and S. tokodaii. We established a microtitre plate assay adapted to high temperatures to determine how pH and temperature influence biofilm formation in these organisms. Biofilm analysis by confocal laser scanning microscopy demonstrated that the three strains form very different communities ranging from simple carpet-like structures in S. solfataricus to high density tower-like structures in S. acidocaldarius in static systems. Lectin staining indicated that all three strains produced extracellular polysaccharides containing glucose, galactose, mannose and N-acetylglucosamine once biofilm formation was initiated. While flagella mutants had no phenotype in two days old static biofilms of S. solfataricus, a UV-induced pili deletion mutant showed decreased attachment of cells.

Conclusion

The study gives first insights into formation and development of crenarchaeal biofilms in extreme environments.

SUBMITTER: Koerdt A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2991349 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Crenarchaeal biofilm formation under extreme conditions.

Koerdt Andrea A Gödeke Julia J Berger Jürgen J Thormann Kai M KM Albers Sonja-Verena SV

PloS one 20101124 11

<h4>Background</h4>Biofilm formation has been studied in much detail for a variety of bacterial species, as it plays a major role in the pathogenicity of bacteria. However, only limited information is available for the development of archaeal communities that are frequently found in many natural environments.<h4>Methodology</h4>We have analyzed biofilm formation in three closely related hyperthermophilic crenarchaeotes: Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, S. solfataricus and S. tokodaii. We established a ...[more]

PMID: 21124788

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Project description:To grow in various harsh environments, extremophiles have developed extraordinary strategies such as biofilm formation, which is an extremely complex and progressive process. However, the genetic elements and exact mechanisms underlying extreme biofilm formation remain enigmatic. Here, we characterized the biofilm-forming ability of Deinococcus radiodurans in vitro under extreme environmental conditions and found that extremely high concentrations of NaCl or sorbitol could induce biofilm formation. Meantime, the survival ability of biofilm cells was superior to that of planktonic cells in different extreme conditions, such as hydrogen peroxide stress, sorbitol stress, and high UV radiation. Transcriptome profiles of D. radiodurans in four different biofilm development stages further revealed that only 13 matched genes, which are involved in environmental information processing, carbohydrate metabolism, or stress responses, share sequence homology with genes related to the biofilm formation of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, 64% of the differentially expressed genes are functionally unknown, indicating the specificity of the regulatory network of D. radiodurans. The mutation of the drRRA gene encoding a response regulator strongly impaired biofilm formation ability, implying that DrRRA is an essential component of the biofilm formation of D. radiodurans. Furthermore, transcripts from both the wild type and the drRRA mutant were compared, showing that the expression of drBON1 (Deinococcus radioduransBON domain-containing protein 1) significantly decreased in the drRRA mutant during biofilm development. Further analysis revealed that the drBON1 mutant lacked the ability to form biofilm and DrRRA, and as a facilitator of biofilm formation, could directly stimulate the transcription of the biofilm-related gene drBON1. Overall, our work highlights a molecular mechanism mediated by the response regulator DrRRA for controlling extreme biofilm formation and thus provides guidance for future studies to investigate novel mechanisms that are used by D. radiodurans to adapt to extreme environments.

Project description:In the food industry, especially dairy, biofilms can be formed by heat-resistant spoilage and pathogenic bacteria from the farm. Such biofilms may persist throughout the processing chain and contaminate milk and dairy products continuously, increasing equipment cleaning, maintenance costs, and product recalls. Most biofilms are multispecies, yet most studies focus on single-species models. A multispecies model of dairy biofilm was developed under static and dynamic conditions using heat-resistant Bacillus licheniformis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Clostridium tyrobutyricum, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Rothia kristinae isolated from dairies. C. tyrobutiricum and R. kristinae were weak producers of biofilm, whereas the other four were moderate to strong producers. Based on cross-streaking on agar, P. aeruginosa was found to inhibit B. licheniformis and E. faecalis. In multispecies biofilm formed on stainless steel in a CDC reactor fed microfiltered milk, the strong biofilm producers were dominant while the weak producers were barely detectable. All biofilm matrices were dispersed easily by proteinase K treatment but were less sensitive to DNase or carbohydrases. Further studies are needed to deepen our understanding of multispecies biofilms and interactions within to develop improved preventive strategies to control the proliferation of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria in dairies and other food processing environments. IMPORTANCE A model of multispecies biofilm was created to study biofilm formation by heat-resistant bacteria in the dairy industry. The biofilm formation potential was evaluated under static conditions. A continuous flow version was then developed to study multispecies biofilm formed on stainless steel in microfiltered milk under dynamic conditions encountered in dairy processing equipment. The study of biofilm composition and bacterial interactions therein will lead to more effective means of suppressing bacterial growth on food processing equipment and contamination of products with spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, which represent considerable economic loss.

Dataset Information

Crenarchaeal biofilm formation under extreme conditions.

Background

Methodology

Conclusion

Publications

Crenarchaeal biofilm formation under extreme conditions.

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