Characterization of a Novel Regulator of Biofilm Formation in the Pathogen Legionella pneumophila

Biomolecules

Courtney Marin¹  Ogan K. Kumova¹  Shira Ninio² 

[1] Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA;Kinneret Limnological Laboratory (KLL), Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Migdal 14950, Israel;

关键词: Legionella pneumophila;    biofilm;    motility;    growth rate;    cellular replication;    virulence;   

DOI  :  10.3390/biom12020225

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogen that causes severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires’ disease. The bacterium causes disease when contaminated water is aerosolized and subsequently inhaled by individuals, which allows the bacteria to gain access to the lungs, where they infect alveolar macrophages. L. pneumophila is ubiquitous in the environment, where it survives by growing in biofilms, intracellularly within protozoa, and planktonically. Biofilms are a major concern for public health because they provide a protective niche that allows for the continuous leaching of bacteria into the water supply. In addition, biofilms enhance the survival of the bacteria by increasing resistance to temperature fluctuations and antimicrobial agents. Currently, there is little known about biofilm formation and regulation by L. pneumophila. Here, we present evidence of a specific gene, bffA, which appears to be involved in the regulation of motility, biofilm formation, cellular replication, and virulence of L. pneumophila. A strain lacking bffA has an enhanced biofilm formation phenotype, forming biofilms that are both faster and thicker than wild type. Additionally, the knockout strain has significantly reduced motility, enhanced uptake into amoebae, and altered growth kinetics on solid media. Our data suggest a potential role for bffA in signaling pathways that govern changes in growth rate and motility in response to environmental conditions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown