Projects per year
Abstract
Formation of Bacillus subtilis biofilms, consisting of cells encapsulated within an extracellular matrix of exopolysaccharide and protein, requires the polyamine spermidine. A recent study reported that (1) related polyamine norspermidine is synthesized by B. subtilis using the equivalent of the Vibrio cholerae biosynthetic pathway, (2) exogenous norspermidine at 25 µM prevents B. subtilis biofilm formation, (3) endogenous norspermidine is present in biofilms at 50-80 µM, and (4) norspermidine prevents biofilm formation by condensing biofilm exopolysaccharide. In contrast, we find that, at concentrations up to 200 µM, exogenous norspermidine promotes biofilm formation. We find that norspermidine is absent in wild-type B. subtilis biofilms at all stages, and higher concentrations of exogenous norspermidine eventually inhibit planktonic growth and biofilm formation in an exopolysaccharide-independent manner. Moreover, orthologs of the V. cholerae norspermidine biosynthetic pathway are absent from B. subtilis, confirming that norspermidine is not physiologically relevant to biofilm function in this species.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 844-854 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Cell |
Volume | 156 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 13 Feb 2014 |
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Norspermidine is not a self-produced trigger for biofilm disassembly'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
-
Dermatology and Genetic Medicine (Strategic Grant) (Joint with Kings College London)
Barton, G. (Investigator), Campbell, P. (Investigator), Hickerson, R. (Investigator), Leigh, I. (Investigator), McLean, I. (Investigator) & Wyatt, P. (Investigator)
1/08/12 → 30/04/19
Project: Research
-
How to Build a Biofilm
Stanley-Wall, N. (Investigator) & van Aalten, D. (Investigator)
1/01/12 → 30/04/15
Project: Research
-
Aref#d: 18185. Characterization and validation of drug targets in the Kinetoplastida (Principal Research Fellowship/Programme Grant)
Fairlamb, A. (Investigator)
1/10/06 → 30/09/17
Project: Research