Pseudomonas aeruginosa Short-Range Signaling Protein Influence On Biofilm Phenotypic Expression
Loading...
Date
2016-05
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are communities of bacteria which grow on various surfaces. They are
composed of the bacteria themselves and an extracellular polymeric slime (EPS) matrix which
they encase themselves within. Biofilms can be found in any environment where there is
persistent water, such as oceans, pipes, and the human body. Biofilms are formed when freefloating,
planktonic bacteria attach to a surface and grow. Cells in a biofilm use
communication via cell signaling bacteria to coordinate the behavior of the whole biofilm
population for a diverse array of functions, including expression of virulence factors,
proliferation and dispersal. In cell signaling, diffusible chemicals are released by individual
bacteria which can be “sensed” by others in the biofilm.
A short-range cell signaling protein in Myxococcus was discovered to be responsible for social
motility in biofilms. We have identified a single potential protein homolog in Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, PA4079, for which we are testing to determine social motility differences between a
wild-type strain of P. aeruginosa versus a strain with a knockout of the PA4079 gene. Biofilms
of both a wild-type strain tagged with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a PA4079 transposon
knockout strain tagged with GFP are grown under various media and temperature conditions.
Images have been collected to compare phenotypic differences among the biofilms. In current
experiments, we are using time-lapse photography to determine if dispersal rates and motility are
affected by the absence of this protein. We are also utilizing a flow cell system to manipulate
biofilms under shear stress.
We believe the PA4079 gene and homologs may be responsible for dispersal from pathogenic
biofilms and could represent a possible target for treating problematic biofilm infections. With
the information provided from this research, we will be able to better understand social motility
and cell-signaling of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Our results could bring forth new ways to treat
and prevent pathogenic biofilms within orthopedic environments (i.e implants, reparative
surgeries) as well as natural environments.
Description
Presented work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
Received an Undergraduate Research Scholar Award on this work.
Received an Undergraduate Research Scholar Award on this work.
Keywords
Pseudomonas, aeruginosa, biofilms, motility