Insights into the planktonic to sessile transition in a marine biofilm-forming Pseudoalteromonas isolate using comparative proteomic analysis

Abstract

Bacterial biofilms play an important role in marine biofouling. The formation of a biofilm starts when marine bacterial cells transition from a planktonic to an attached state. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this transition are poorly understood. Here, 51 strains of marine bacteria were isolated from natural biofilms growing on submerged artificial surfaces (glass slides, epoxy panels, and bridge pillars) and evaluated for their biofilm-forming capacity. Eleven strains formed relatively strong biofilms and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that they belonged to the genera Leisingera, Roseobacter, Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, Tenacibaculum, Vibrio, Chryseobacterium, Aquimarina, and Acinetobacter. Strain Pseudoalteromonas sp. W-7 showed efficient and rapid attachment and was therefore chosen for further study. An iTRAQ-based comparative proteomic analysis of planktonic and attached strain W-7 cells was carried out. A total of 3468 proteins were identified, of which 163 showed significant differential expression (120 down-regulated and 43 up-regulated in attached cells relative to planktonic cells). KEGG (Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes) analysis indicated that pyruvate metabolism, carbon fixation, and carbon metabolism were significantly affected in attached cells. Up-regulated proteins such as UTP-glucose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase, acetyltransferase component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, OmpA-like protein, and acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase may be important during initial adhesion. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the planktonic to sessile transition of marine fouling bacteria.

Exploring the dynamics of astaxanthin production in Haematococcus pluvialis biofilms using a rotating biofilm‐based system

“…In bacterial cells, this transition stage often involves a transcriptional reorganization that yields phenotypic and metabolic alterations. For instance, bacteria often lose their flagella and produce extracellular polysaccharides as stress responses, contributing to their persistence in favorable niches (Jefferson, 2004; Wu et al, 2021). Analogous behaviors have been observed in microalgae biofilms (Schnurr and Allen (2015) and references therein).…”

Origin of biogeographically distinct ecotypes during laboratory evolution

“…Further investigation, using scanning electron microscopy, demonstrated that the nonsynonymous mutations in galU had likely resulted in lipopolysaccharide overproduction that may have facilitated attachment to sediment (Fig. 2H) [42][43][44] . Thus, the NMDS analysis uncovered evidence that specific variants of both organisms had likely led to niche differentiation of the SynCom ecotypes across the planktonic and attached phases.…”

Characterization of persistent marine bacterial community profiles isolated from long-term Kappaphycus alvarezii cultures in a closed cultivation system using 16S rDNA analysis

“…Several of these bacteria exhibit unique capabilities that may contribute to their persistence over the 30-day cultivation period. This adaptability could potentially be attributed to factors such as metabolic versatility and biofilm formation, which are known to facilitate their successful adaptation in extended cultivation environments (Riyaz et al, 2019;Wu et al, 2021). While these hypotheses are founded on existing research, they should be viewed as plausible explanations rather than definitive confirmations solely dependent on the presence of specific bacterial species.…”