biofilm
Genetics and Molecular BiologyMethionine Limitation Impairs Pathogen Expansion and Biofilm Formation CapacityNew antibiotics that attack novel targets are needed to circumvent widespread resistance to conventional drugs. Bacterial anabolic pathways, such as the enzymes for biosynthesis of the essential amino acid methionine, have been proposed as potential targets. However, the eligibility of enzymes in these pathways as drug targets is unclear because metabolites might be acquired from the environment to overcome inhibition. We investigated...
Environmental MicrobiologyTwo Novel Bacteriophages Improve Survival in Galleria mellonella Infection and Mouse Acute Pneumonia Models Infected with Extensively Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosaIn this study, two novel P. aeruginosa phages, Bϕ-R656 and Bϕ-R1836, were evaluated in vitro, in silico, and in vivo for therapeutic efficacy and safety as an alternative antibacterial agent to control XDR-PA strains collected from pneumonia patients. Both phages exhibited potent bacteriolytic activity and greatly improved survival in...
Genetics and Molecular BiologyThe Edwardsiella piscicida Type III Translocon Protein EseC Inhibits Biofilm Formation by Sequestering EseEEdwardsiella piscicida, previously known as Edwardsiella tarda, is a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen that mainly infects fish. The type III secretion system (T3SS) plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. The T3SS translocon protein EseB is required for the assembly of filamentous appendages...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyChlorine and Monochloramine Disinfection of Legionella pneumophila Colonizing Copper and Polyvinyl Chloride Drinking Water BiofilmsMicrobial regrowth within building water systems are promoted by water stagnation, low disinfectant residual, high surface-to-volume ratio, amenable growth temperatures, and colonization of drinking water biofilms. Moreover, biofilms provide protection from environmental stresses, access to higher levels of nutrients, and opportunities for symbiotic interactions with other microbes. Disinfectant efficacy information is historically...
Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightLoss of Function in Escherichia coli Exposed to Environmentally Relevant Concentrations of Benzalkonium ChlorideExposure to very low concentrations of biocides in the environment is a poorly understood risk factor for antimicrobial resistance. Repeated exposure to trace levels of the biocide benzalkonium chloride (BAC) resulted in loss of function (motility) and a general reduction in bacterial fitness but relatively minor decreases in susceptibility. These changes were accompanied by widespread changes in the...
Environmental MicrobiologyIron Homeostasis in Bacillus subtilis Requires Siderophore Production and Biofilm FormationIron acquisition is of fundamental importance for microorganisms, since this metal is generally poorly bioavailable under natural conditions. In the environment, most bacteria are found tightly packed within multicellular communities named biofilms. Here, using the soil Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis, we show that biofilm formation and the production of...
Environmental MicrobiologySiderophore-Mediated Iron Acquisition Enhances Resistance to Oxidative and Aromatic Compound Stress in Cupriavidus necator JMP134Since siderophores have been widely exploited for agricultural, environmental, and medical applications, the identification and characterization of new siderophores from different habitats and organisms will have great beneficial applications. Here, we identified a novel siderophore-producing gene cluster in C. necator JMP134. This gene cluster produces a previously...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyPrimary Colonizing Betaproteobacteriales Play a Key Role in the Growth of Legionella pneumophila in Biofilms on Surfaces Exposed to Drinking Water Treated by Slow Sand FiltrationProliferation of L. pneumophila in premise plumbing poses a public health threat. Extended water treatment using physicochemical and biofiltration processes, including slow sand filtration, at four surface water supplies in The Netherlands reduces the microbial growth potential of the treated water to a minimum level, and the distributed drinking water complies with...
Genetics and Molecular BiologyVibrio fischeri Biofilm Formation Prevented by a Trio of RegulatorsBacterial biofilms promote attachment to a variety of surfaces and protect the constituent bacteria from environmental stresses, including antimicrobials. Understanding the mechanisms by which biofilms form will promote our ability to resolve them when they occur in the context of an infection. In this study, we found that Vibrio fischeri tightly controls biofilm...
- Genetics and Molecular BiologyMgrA Negatively Regulates Biofilm Formation and Detachment by Repressing the Expression of psm Operons in Staphylococcus aureus
Staphylococcus aureus is a human and animal pathogen that can cause biofilm-associated infections. PSMs have multiple functions in biofilm development and virulence in staphylococcal pathogenesis. This study has revealed that MgrA can negatively regulate psm expression by binding directly to the promoter regions of psm operons. Furthermore, our...