Projects per year
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is often required for the formation of bacterial biofilms and is a popular target of biofilm control strategies. Previous studies implicate the ComQXPA quorum sensing system of Bacillus subtilis as a promoter of biofilm formation. Here, we report that ComX signaling peptide deficient mutants form thicker and more robust pellicle biofilms that contain chains of cells. We confirm that ComX positively affects the transcriptional activity of the PepsA promoter, which controls the synthesis of the major matrix polysaccharide. In contrast, ComX negatively controls the PtapA promoter, which drives the production of TasA, a fibrous matrix protein. Overall, the biomass of the mutant biofilm lacking ComX accumulates more monosaccharide and protein content than the wild type. We conclude that this QS phenotype might be due to extended investment into growth rather than spore development. Consistent with this, the ComX deficient mutant shows a delayed activation of the pre-spore specific promoter, PspoIIQ, and a delayed, more synchronous commitment to sporulation. We conclude that ComX mediated early commitment to sporulation of the wild type slows down biofilm formation and modulates the coexistence of multiple biological states during the early stages of biofilm development.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 1131 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Microorganisms |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 27 Jul 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2020 |
Keywords
- biofilm
- pellicle
- quorum
- sporulation
- bacillus
- signal
- communication
- heterogeneity
- matrix
- surfactin
- Quorum
- Pellicle
- Heterogeneity
- Signal
- Surfactin
- Matrix
- Sporulation
- Bacillus
- Biofilm
- Communication
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology (medical)
- Virology
- Microbiology
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Dive into the research topics of 'The ComX Quorum Sensing Peptide of Bacillus subtilis Affects Biofilm Formation Negatively and Sporulation Positively'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
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IKC Biofilms (Collaboration with University of Southampton via University of Edinburgh)
Stanley-Wall, N. (Investigator)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
1/12/17 → 30/11/22
Project: Research
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Bacterial Proteins as Formulation Ingredients (Joint with University of Edinburgh)
Stanley-Wall, N. (Investigator)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
10/10/16 → 9/10/17
Project: Research
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The Use of Protein Surfactants as Formulation Ingredients (Joint with University of Edinburgh) (Follow on Fund)
Stanley-Wall, N. (Investigator)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
28/02/15 → 27/02/16
Project: Research