Influence of Adhesion Force on icaA and cidA Gene Expression and Production of Matrix Components in Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

The majority of human infections are caused by biofilms. The biofilm mode of growth enhances the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus spp. considerably, because once they adhere, staphylococci embed themselves in a protective, self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of forces of staphylococcal adhesion to different biomaterials on icaA (which regulates the production of EPS matrix components) and cidA (which is associated with cell lysis and extracellular DNA [eDNA] release) gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Experiments were performed with S. aureus ATCC 12600 and its isogenic mutant, S. aureus ATCC 12600 Δpbp4, deficient in peptidoglycan cross-linking. Deletion of pbp4 was associated with greater cell wall deformability, while it did not affect the planktonic growth rate, biofilm formation, cell surface hydrophobicity, or zeta potential of the strains. The adhesion forces of S. aureus ATCC 12600 were the strongest on polyethylene (4.9 ± 0.5 nN), intermediate on polymethylmethacrylate (3.1 ± 0.7 nN), and the weakest on stainless steel (1.3 ± 0.2 nN). The production of poly-N-acetylglucosamine, eDNA presence, and expression of icaA genes decreased with increasing adhesion forces. However, no relation between adhesion forces and cidA expression was observed. The adhesion forces of the isogenic mutant S. aureus ATCC 12600 Δpbp4 (deficient in peptidoglycan cross-linking) were much weaker than those of the parent strain and did not show any correlation with the production of poly-N-acetylglucosamine, eDNA presence, or expression of the icaA and cidA genes. This suggests that adhesion forces modulate the production of the matrix molecule poly-N-acetylglucosamine, eDNA presence, and icaA gene expression by inducing nanoscale cell wall deformation, with cross-linked peptidoglycan layers playing a pivotal role in this adhesion force sensing.     

Phage-induced lysis enhances biofilm formation in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1

Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 is capable of forming highly structured surface-attached communities. By DNase I treatment, we demonstrated that extracellular DNA (eDNA) serves as a structural component in all stages of biofilm formation under static and hydrodynamic conditions. We determined whether eDNA is released through cell lysis mediated by the three prophages LambdaSo, MuSo1 and MuSo2 that are harbored in the genome of S. oneidensis MR-1. Mutant analyses and infection studies revealed that all three prophages may individually lead to cell lysis. However, only LambdaSo and MuSo2 form infectious phage particles. Phage release and cell lysis already occur during early stages of static incubation. A mutant devoid of the prophages was significantly less prone to lysis in pure culture. In addition, the phage-less mutant was severely impaired in biofilm formation through all stages of development, and three-dimensional growth occurred independently of eDNA as a structural component. Thus, we suggest that in S. oneidensis MR-1 prophage-mediated lysis results in the release of crucial biofilm-promoting factors, in particular eDNA.     

Pyocyanin Promotes Extracellular DNA Release in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation are both dependent on the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and extracellular DNA (eDNA). eDNA promotes biofilm establishment in a wide range of bacterial species. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa eDNA is major component of biofilms and is essential for biofilm formation and stability. In this study we report that production of pyocyanin in P. aeruginosa PAO1 and PA14 batch cultures is responsible for promotion of eDNA release. A phzSH mutant of P. aeruginosa PAO1 that overproduces pyocyanin displayed enhanced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generation, cell lysis, and eDNA release in comparison to its wildtype strain. A ΔphzA-G mutant of P. aeruginosa PA14 deficient in pyocyanin production generated negligible amounts of H₂O₂ and released less eDNA in comparison to its wildtype counterpart. Exogenous addition of pyocyanin or incubation with H₂O₂ was also shown to promote eDNA release in low pyocyanin producing (PAO1) and pyocynain deficient (PA14) strains. Based on these data and recent findings in the biofilm literature, we propose that the impact of pyocyanin on biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa occurs via eDNA release through H₂O₂ mediated cell lysis.     

Streptococcus mutans Extracellular DNA Is Upregulated during Growth in Biofilms,Actively Released via Membrane Vesicles,and Influenced by Components of the Protein Secretion Machinery

Streptococcus mutans, a major etiological agent of human dental caries, lives primarily on the tooth surface in biofilms. Limited information is available concerning the extracellular DNA (eDNA) as a scaffolding matrix in S. mutans biofilms. This study demonstrates that S. mutans produces eDNA by multiple avenues, including lysis-independent membrane vesicles. Unlike eDNAs from cell lysis that were abundant and mainly concentrated around broken cells or cell debris with floating open ends, eDNAs produced via the lysis-independent pathway appeared scattered but in a structured network under scanning electron microscopy. Compared to eDNA production of planktonic cultures, eDNA production in 5- and 24-h biofilms was increased by >3- and >1.6-fold, respectively. The addition of DNase I to growth medium significantly reduced biofilm formation. In an in vitro adherence assay, added chromosomal DNA alone had a limited effect on S. mutans adherence to saliva-coated hydroxylapatite beads, but in conjunction with glucans synthesized using purified glucosyltransferase B, the adherence was significantly enhanced. Deletion of sortase A, the transpeptidase that covalently couples multiple surface-associated proteins to the cell wall peptidoglycan, significantly reduced eDNA in both planktonic and biofilm cultures. Sortase A deficiency did not have a significant effect on membrane vesicle production; however, the protein profile of the mutant membrane vesicles was significantly altered, including reduction of adhesin P1 and glucan-binding proteins B and C. Relative to the wild type, deficiency of protein secretion and membrane protein insertion machinery components, including Ffh, YidC1, and YidC2, also caused significant reductions in eDNA.     

Global regulator H-NS and lipoprotein NlpI influence production of extracellular DNA in Escherichia coli

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a structural component of the polymeric matrix of biofilms from different species. Different mechanisms for DNA release have been proposed including lysis of cells, lysis of DNA-containing vesicles, and DNA secretion. Here, a genome-wide screen of 3985 non-lethal mutations was performed to identify genes whose deletion alters eDNA release in Escherichia coli. Deleting nlpI, yfeC, and rna increased eDNA from planktonic cultures while deleting hns and rfaD decreased eDNA production. The lipoprotein NlpI negatively affects eDNA release since the overexpression of nlpI decreases eDNA 16 fold while deleting nlpI increases eDNA threefold. The global regulator H-NS is required for eDNA production since DNA was not detected for the hns mutant and production of H-NS restored eDNA production to wild-type levels. Therefore our results suggest that secretion may play a role in eDNA release in E. coli since the effect of the hns deletion on cell lysis (slight decrease) and membrane vesicles (threefold increase) does not account for the reduction in eDNA.     

Flagella-Mediated Adhesion and Extracellular DNA Release Contribute to Biofilm Formation and Stress Tolerance of Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of foodbourne gastroenteritis, despite fragile behaviour under standard laboratory conditions. In the environment, C. jejuni may survive within biofilms, which can impart resident bacteria with enhanced stress tolerance compared to their planktonic counterparts. While C. jejuni forms biofilms in vitro and in the wild, it had not been confirmed that this lifestyle confers stress tolerance. Moreover, little is understood about molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation in this pathogen. We previously found that a ΔcprS mutant, which carries a deletion in the sensor kinase of the CprRS two-component system, forms enhanced biofilms. Biofilms were also enhanced by the bile salt deoxycholate and contained extracellular DNA. Through more in-depth analysis of ΔcprS and WT under conditions that promote or inhibit biofilms, we sought to further define this lifestyle for C. jejuni. Epistasis experiments with ΔcprS and flagellar mutations (ΔflhA, ΔpflA) suggested that initiation is mediated by flagellum-mediated adherence, a process which was kinetically enhanced by motility. Lysis was also observed, especially under biofilm-enhancing conditions. Microscopy suggested adherence was followed by release of eDNA, which was required for biofilm maturation. Importantly, inhibiting biofilm formation by removal of eDNA with DNase decreased stress tolerance. This work suggests the biofilm lifestyle provides C. jejuni with resilience that has not been apparent from observation of planktonic bacteria during routine laboratory culture, and provides a framework for subsequent molecular studies of C. jejuni biofilms.     

Role of LytF and AtlS in eDNA Release by Streptococcus gordonii

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an important component of the biofilm matrix produced by many bacteria. In general, the release of eDNA is associated with the activity of muralytic enzymes leading to obvious cell lysis. In the Gram-positive oral commensal Streptococcus gordonii, eDNA release is dependent on pyruvate oxidase generated hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Addition of H₂O₂ to cells grown under conditions non-permissive for H₂O₂ production causes eDNA release. Furthermore, eDNA release is maximal under aerobic growth conditions known to induce pyruvate oxidase gene expression and H₂O₂ production. Obvious cell lysis, however, does not occur. Two enzymes have been recently associated with eDNA release in S. gordonii. The autolysin AtlS and the competence regulated murein hydrolase LytF. In the present report, we investigated the role of both proteins in the H₂O₂ dependent eDNA release process. Single and double mutants in the respective genes for LytF and AtlS released less eDNA under normal growth conditions, but the AtlS mutant was still inducible for eDNA release by external H₂O₂. Moreover, we showed that the AtlS mutation interfered with the ability of S. gordonii to produce eDNA release inducing amounts of H₂O₂. Our data support a role of LytF in the H₂O₂ eDNA dependent release of S. gordonii as part of the competence stress pathway responding to oxidative stress.     

Evaluation of Different Methods for Extracting Extracellular DNA from the Biofilm Matrix

The occurrence of high concentrations of extracellular DNA (eDNA) in the extracellular matrices of biofilms plays an important role in biofilm formation and development and possibly in horizontal gene transfer through natural transformation. Studies have been conducted to characterize the nature of eDNA and its potential function in biofilm development, but it is difficult to extract eDNA from the extracellular matrices of biofilms without any contamination from genomic DNA released by cell lysis during the extraction process. In this report, we compared several different extraction methods in order to obtain highly pure eDNA from different biofilm samples. After different extraction methods were explored, it was concluded that using chemical treatment or enzymatic treatment of biofilm samples may obtain larger amounts of eDNA than using the simple filtration method. There was no detectable cell lysis when the enzymatic treatment methods were used, but substantial cell lysis was observed when the chemical treatment methods were used. These data suggest that eDNA may bind to other extracellular polymers in the biofilm matrix and that enzymatic treatment methods are effective and favorable for extracting eDNA from biofilm samples. Moreover, randomly amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of eDNA in Acinetobacter sp. biofilms and Acinetobacter sp. genomic DNA and DNA sequencing analysis revealed that eDNA originated from genomic DNA but was not structurally identical to the genomic DNA.A biofilm is a well-organized community of microorganisms that adheres to surfaces and is embedded in the slimy extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs). EPSs are a complex mixture composed of high-molecular-mass polymers (>10,000 Da) generated by the bacterial cells, cell lysis and hydrolysis products, and organic matter adsorbed from the substrate. EPSs are involved in the establishment of stable arrangements of microorganisms in biofilms (40), and it recently was found that extracellular DNA (eDNA) is one of the major components of EPSs (7, 31). eDNA plays a very important role in biofilm development (39), and it is believed to be involved in providing substrates for sibling cells, maintaining the three-dimensional structure of biofilms, and enhancing the exchange of genetic materials (18, 31). eDNA has also been found to be accumulated in cultures of several bacterial species and has been postulated as being released by bacterial cells (11, 15, 21, 30). Although it is commonly accepted that eDNA is released mainly from cell lysis (11, 23, 24, 28, 34, 41), several studies have revealed that some other active secretion mechanisms may exist (1, 6, 11, 27). Recent evidence, however, indicates the possibility that eDNA is secreted actively via transport vesicles for the purpose of creating the biofilm matrix (39). Bockelmann et al. found that eDNA formed a defined, network-like spatial structure in the biofilm of an aquatic bacterium and identified that eDNA was not completely identical to genomic DNA by using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and restriction endonuclease analyses (3). By using RAPD analysis, principal-components analysis, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, Steinberger and Holden (33) also characterized eDNA in single- and multiple-species unsaturated biofilm and found that it was different from genomic DNA. However, research is still needed to elucidate the role of eDNA in biofilm structures and in the development and origins of eDNA. In order to further investigate these questions, it is important to extract most of the eDNA of high purity in the biofilm matrix and separate eDNA from other components in the EPSs and from the genomic DNA released during the extraction process. Several methods, such as high-speed centrifugation (2, 33) and membrane filtration (3), have been used to isolate eDNA from biofilm samples. However, these methods may isolate only a portion of the eDNA from biofilm samples.EPSs are composed mainly of high-molecular-weight compounds, including polysaccharides, proteins, and amphiphilic polymers (19, 20), that are secreted by microorganisms into their environment (32). The majority of proteins in the EPSs are bridged by divalent ions, including Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, and a small fraction of carbohydrates and nucleic acids are linked to these divalent ions. Under neutral conditions, the carboxyl of protein would become ionized and negative. Through ion interaction, the divalent ions bridge the protein and the cells. In addition, eDNA may be physically or chemically associated with extracellular proteins, polysaccharides, and other polymers in the EPS matrix. The structural assemblage of proteins and polysaccharides in the complex matrix of the EPS might hinder the liberating eDNA from the EPS matrix. Therefore, it is difficult to release eDNA and other materials from the EPS matrix by only vortexing or homogenizing. Additionally, it is necessary to degrade certain components of EPSs in the biofilm matrix in order to release eDNAs that may bind to these compounds.In this study, the following extractants were chosen to treat biofilm samples for isolation of eDNA from Acinetobacter sp. strain AC811 biofilm: EDTA and cation-exchange resin (CER) (16), which both have the ability to remove cations from the EPS matrix; sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and NaOH, which are strong denaturants and are used frequently for EPS extraction from various pure and mixed cultures (17, 29); and N-glycanase (glycoprotein degradation hydrolase) (35), dispersin B (biofilm-dispersing glycoside hydrolase) (25), and proteinase K (protein hydrolase). We evaluated the efficiencies of these treatments and their impacts on the quantity and quality of eDNA extracted, and we propose that eDNA may bind to other extracellular polymers in the Acinetobacter biofilm matrix, based on the release of eDNA from the biofilm matrix after such treatments.     

Staphylococcus aureus CidA and LrgA proteins exhibit holin-like properties

The Staphylococcus aureus cid and lrg operons are known to be involved in biofilm formation by controlling cell lysis and the release of genomic DNA, which ultimately becomes a structural component of the biofilm matrix. Although the molecular mechanisms controlling cell death and lysis are unknown, it has been hypothesized that the cidA and lrgA genes encode holin- and antiholin-like proteins and function to regulate these processes similarly to bacteriophage-induced death and lysis. In this study, we focused on the biochemical and molecular characterization of CidA and LrgA with the goal of testing the holin model. First, membrane fractionation and fluorescent protein fusion studies revealed that CidA and LrgA are membrane-associated proteins. Furthermore, similarly to holins, CidA and LrgA were found to oligomerize into high-molecular-mass complexes whose formation was dependent on disulfide bonds formed between cysteine residues. To determine the function of disulfide bond-dependent oligomerization of CidA, an S. aureus mutant in which the wild-type copy of the cidA gene was replaced with the cysteine mutant allele was generated. As determined by β-galactosidase release assays, this mutant exhibited increased cell lysis during stationary phase, suggesting that oligomerization has a negative impact on this process. When analyzed for biofilm development and maturation, this mutant displayed increased biofilm adhesion in a static assay and a greater amount of dead-cell accumulation during biofilm maturation. These studies support the model that CidA and LrgA proteins are bacterial holin-/antiholin-like proteins that function to control cell death and lysis during biofilm development.     

sarA negatively regulates Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm formation by modulating expression of 1 MDa extracellular matrix binding protein and autolysis‐dependent release of eDNA

Biofilm formation is essential for Staphylococcus epidermidis pathogenicity in implant‐associated infections. Nonetheless, large proportions of invasive Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates fail to form a biofilm in vitro. We here tested the hypothesis that this apparent paradox is related to the existence of superimposed regulatory systems suppressing a multicellular biofilm life style in vitro. Transposon mutagenesis of clinical significant but biofilm‐negative S. epidermidis 1585 was used to isolate a biofilm positive mutant carrying a Tn917 insertion in sarA, chief regulator of staphylococcal virulence. Genetic analysis revealed that inactivation of sarA induced biofilm formation via overexpression of the giant 1 MDa extracellular matrix binding protein (Embp), serving as an intercellular adhesin. In addition to Embp, increased extracellular DNA (eDNA) release significantly contributed to biofilm formation in mutant 1585ΔsarA. Increased eDNA amounts indirectly resulted from upregulation of metalloprotease SepA, leading to boosted processing of autolysin AtlE, in turn inducing augmented autolysis and release of eDNA. Hence, this study identifies sarA as a negative regulator of Embp‐ and eDNA‐dependent biofilm formation. Given the importance of SarA as a positive regulator of polysaccharide mediated cell aggregation, the regulator enables S. epidermidis to switch between mechanisms of biofilm formation, ensuring S. epidermidis adaptation to hostile environments.     

Iron Triggers λSo Prophage Induction and Release of Extracellular DNA in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 Biofilms

Prophages are ubiquitous elements within bacterial chromosomes and affect host physiology and ecology in multiple ways. We have previously demonstrated that phage-induced lysis is required for extracellular DNA (eDNA) release and normal biofilm formation in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. Here, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of prophage λSo spatiotemporal induction in biofilms. To this end, we used a functional fluorescence fusion to monitor λSo activation in various mutant backgrounds and in response to different physiological conditions. λSo induction occurred mainly in a subpopulation of filamentous cells in a strictly RecA-dependent manner, implicating oxidative stress-induced DNA damage as the major trigger. Accordingly, mutants affected in the oxidative stress response (ΔoxyR) or iron homeostasis (Δfur) displayed drastically increased levels of phage induction and abnormal biofilm formation, while planktonic cells were not or only marginally affected. To further investigate the role of oxidative stress, we performed a mutant screen and identified two independent amino acid substitutions in OxyR (T104N and L197P) that suppress induction of λSo by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). However, λSo induction was not suppressed in biofilms formed by both mutants, suggesting a minor role of intracellular H₂O₂ in this process. In contrast, addition of iron to biofilms strongly enhanced λSo induction and eDNA release, while both processes were significantly suppressed at low iron levels, strongly indicating that iron is the limiting factor. We conclude that uptake of iron during biofilm formation triggers λSo-mediated lysis of a subpopulation of cells, likely by an increase in iron-mediated DNA damage sensed by RecA.     

Characterization of Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced DNA Release by Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is produced by several bacterial species and appears to contribute to biofilm development and cell-cell adhesion. We present data showing that the oral commensals Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii release DNA in a process induced by pyruvate oxidase-dependent production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Surprisingly, S. sanguinis and S. gordonii cell integrity appears unaffected by conditions that cause autolysis in other eDNA-producing bacteria. Exogenous H₂O₂ causes release of DNA from S. sanguinis and S. gordonii but does not result in obvious lysis of cells. Under DNA-releasing conditions, cell walls appear functionally intact and ribosomes are retained over time. During DNA release, intracellular RNA and ATP are not coreleased. Hence, the release mechanism appears to be highly specific for DNA. Release of DNA without detectable autolysis is suggested to be an adaptation to the competitive oral biofilm environment, where autolysis could create open spaces for competitors to invade. Since eDNA promotes cell-to-cell adhesion, release appears to support oral biofilm formation and facilitates exchange of genetic material among competent strains.The release of bacterial DNA into the environment is of recent interest since this polymer is now recognized to stabilize cell-to-cell adherence and biofilm architecture (1, 35, 37). Treatment of extracellular DNA (eDNA) with DNase results in reduced intercellular stickiness, consistent with an adhesive function for eDNA. Furthermore, eDNA from Neisseria meningitis appears to have sufficient structural integrity to transform competent strains (11), indicating chromosomal origin. Since the abundance of eDNA is influenced by growth conditions, DNA release can also be regulated (40).DNA release is typically a consequence of cell lysis. Linked to DNA release, genetic transformation is the natural ability of competent bacterial species to take up DNA from the environment (13, 34, 42). During competence development, Streptococcus pneumoniae DNA is released by lysis of a subpopulation of cells (30, 42). Cell lysis and DNA release are controlled in a cell density-dependent signal transduction process. The S. pneumoniae comX regulon, carrying late competence genes, also includes the murein hydrolase genes lytA and cbpD (19, 42). Murein hydrolases digest structural components of the peptidoglycan, contributing to remodeling, recycling, and daughter cell separation. Furthermore, murein hydrolases trigger autolytic cell wall digestion, leading to release of DNA and other cellular content into the environment (36). The autolysis of bacterial cells as part of a regulated death program seems to be an important source for eDNA in diverse species, including Staphylococcus aureus (4, 36, 37), Staphylococcus epidermidis (35), Enterococcus faecalis (44), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1). In these species, the eDNA contributes to biofilm formation as a component of the extracellular biofilm matrix (35, 37, 44).Unlike for cell lysis-dependent release, the oral streptococci appear to induce eDNA release by a novel mechanism. In dual-species cultures, the oral commensals Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii release eDNA in a manner dependent on pyruvate oxidase (Pox) generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under the control of ambient oxygen (23). In this report, we now provide direct evidence of selective H₂O₂-induced eDNA release by these oral commensal streptococci.     

Prophage spontaneous activation promotes DNA release enhancing biofilm formation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is able to form biofilms in vivo and previous studies propose that pneumococcal biofilms play a relevant role both in colonization and infection. Additionally, pneumococci recovered from human infections are characterized by a high prevalence of lysogenic bacteriophages (phages) residing quiescently in their host chromosome. We investigated a possible link between lysogeny and biofilm formation. Considering that extracellular DNA (eDNA) is a key factor in the biofilm matrix, we reasoned that prophage spontaneous activation with the consequent bacterial host lysis could provide a source of eDNA, enhancing pneumococcal biofilm development. Monitoring biofilm growth of lysogenic and non-lysogenic pneumococcal strains indicated that phage-infected bacteria are more proficient at forming biofilms, that is their biofilms are characterized by a higher biomass and cell viability. The presence of phage particles throughout the lysogenic strains biofilm development implicated prophage spontaneous induction in this effect. Analysis of lysogens deficient for phage lysin and the bacterial major autolysin revealed that the absence of either lytic activity impaired biofilm development and the addition of DNA restored the ability of mutant strains to form robust biofilms. These findings establish that limited phage-mediated host lysis of a fraction of the bacterial population, due to spontaneous phage induction, constitutes an important source of eDNA for the S. pneumoniae biofilm matrix and that this localized release of eDNA favors biofilm formation by the remaining bacterial population.     

High Glucose Concentration Promotes Vancomycin-Enhanced Biofilm Formation of Vancomycin-Non-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus in Diabetic Mice

We previously demonstrated that vancomycin treatment increased acquisition of eDNA and enhanced biofilm formation of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus through a cidA-mediated autolysis mechanism. Recently we found that such enhancement became more significant under a higher glucose concentration in vitro. We propose that besides improper antibiotic treatment, increased glucose concentration environment in diabetic animals may further enhance biofilm formation of drug-resistant S. aureus. To address this question, the diabetic mouse model infected by vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) was used under vancomycin treatment. The capacity to form biofilms was evaluated through a catheter-associated biofilm assay. A 10- and 1000-fold increase in biofilm-bound bacterial colony forming units was observed in samples from diabetic mice without and with vancomycin treatment, respectively, compared to healthy mice. By contrast, in the absence of glucose vancomycin reduced propensity to form biofilms in vitro through the increased production of proteases and DNases from VRSA. Our study highlights the potentially important role of increased glucose concentration in enhancing biofilm formation in vancomycin-treated diabetic mice infected by drug-resistant S. aureus.     

Mycobacterium avium Possesses Extracellular DNA that Contributes to Biofilm Formation,Structural Integrity,and Tolerance to Antibiotics

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis is an opportunistic pathogen that is associated with biofilm-related infections of the respiratory tract and is difficult to treat. In recent years, extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been found to be a major component of bacterial biofilms, including many pathogens involved in biofilm-associated infections. To date, eDNA has not been described as a component of mycobacterial biofilms. In this study, we identified and characterized eDNA in a high biofilm-producing strain of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH). In addition, we surveyed for presence of eDNA in various MAH strains and other nontuberculous mycobacteria. Biofilms of MAH A5 (high biofilm-producing strain) and MAH 104 (reference strain) were established at 22°C and 37°C on abiotic surfaces. Acellular biofilm matrix and supernatant from MAH A5 7 day-old biofilms both possess abundant eDNA, however very little eDNA was found in MAH 104 biofilms. A survey of MAH clinical isolates and other clinically relevant nontuberculous mycobacterial species revealed many species and strains that also produce eDNA. RAPD analysis demonstrated that eDNA resembles genomic DNA. Treatment with DNase I reduced the biomass of MAH A5 biofilms when added upon biofilm formation or to an already established biofilm both on abiotic surfaces and on top of human pharyngeal epithelial cells. Furthermore, co-treatment of an established biofilm with DNase 1 and either moxifloxacin or clarithromycin significantly increased the susceptibility of the bacteria within the biofilm to these clinically used antimicrobials. Collectively, our results describe an additional matrix component of mycobacterial biofilms and a potential new target to help treat biofilm-associated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.     

Evidence of compositional differences between the extracellular and intracellular DNA of a granular sludge biofilm

Aims: Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are an important component of microbial biofilms, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that extracellular DNA (eDNA) has a functional role in EPS. This study characterizes the eDNA extracted from the novel activated sludge biofilm process of aerobic granules. Methods and Results: Exposing the sludge to cation exchange resin (CER) was used for the extraction of eDNA and intracellular DNA (iDNA) from aerobic granules. This was optimized for eDNA yield while causing minimal cell lysis. We then compared the DNA composition of these extractions using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting and PCR‐based denaturing gradient‐gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Upon the analysis of the genomic DNA and the 16S rRNA genes, differences were detected between the sludge biofilm eDNA and iDNA. Conclusions: Different bacteria within the biofilm disproportionally release DNA into the EPS matrix of the biofilm. Significance and Impact of the Study: The findings further the idea that eDNA has a functional role in the biofilm state, which is an important conceptual information for industrial application of biofilms.