Intra-colony channels in <i>E. coli</i> function as a nutrient uptake system

Rooney, Liam M.; Amos, W. B.; Hoskisson, Paul A.; McConnell, Gail

doi:10.1038/s41396-020-0700-9

Cited by 71 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…For example, Wilking et al [ 29 ] suggested that the abovementioned network of channels facilitates liquid transport throughout the macrocolonies with evaporative flux acting as the driving force. A complementary force that allows the macrocolonies to uptake nutrients from the growth substrate was also suggested by Gingichashvili et al [ 12 ], while a similar channel-driven nutrient uptake and distribution effect was previously reported in E. coli biofilms [ 30 ]. Analysis of macrocolonies that were co-cultured and grown in a mixture with fluorescent microspheres reveals two additional forces present in B. subtilis macrocolonies.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Topography and Expansion Patterns at the Biofilm-Agar Interface in Bacillus subtilis Biofilms

2020

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Bacterial biofilms are complex microbial communities which are formed on various natural and synthetic surfaces. In contrast to bacteria in their planktonic form, biofilms are characterized by their relatively low susceptibility to anti-microbial treatments, in part due to limited diffusion throughout the biofilm and the complex distribution of bacterial cells within. The virulence of biofilms is therefore a combination of structural properties and patterns of adhesion that anchor them to their host surface. In this paper, we analyze the topographical properties of Bacillus subtilis’ biofilm-agar interface across different growth conditions. B. subtilis colonies were grown to maturity on biofilm-promoting agar-based media (LBGM), under standard and stress-inducing growth conditions. The biofilm-agar interface of the colony type biofilms was modeled using confocal microscopy and computational analysis. Profilometry data was obtained from the macrocolonies and used for the analysis of surface topography as it relates to the adhesion modes present at the biofilm-agar interface. Fluorescent microspheres were utilized to monitor the expansion patterns present at the interface between the macrocolonies and the solid growth medium. Contact surface analysis reveals topographical changes that could have a direct effect on the adhesion strength of the biofilm to its host surface, thus affecting its potential susceptibility to anti-microbial agents. The topographical characteristics of the biofilm-agar interface partially define the macrocolony structure and may have significant effects on bacterial survival and virulence.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 61%

Topography and Expansion Patterns at the Biofilm-Agar Interface in Bacillus subtilis Biofilms

2020

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“…Several of these approaches were already used to examine phage-biofilm interactions, namely epifluorescence microscopy, CLSM (95), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (96), field emission SEM (90), and atomic force microscopy (97). An optical system that allows simultaneous imaging of individual bacterial cells over a 36-mm 2 field of view was recently developed (98). With this system, E. coli biofilms were observed in a detail never seen before, and new intracolony channels with an approximately 10-µm diameter were discovered (98).…”

Section: Microscopy Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An optical system that allows simultaneous imaging of individual bacterial cells over a 36-mm 2 field of view was recently developed (98). With this system, E. coli biofilms were observed in a detail never seen before, and new intracolony channels with an approximately 10-µm diameter were discovered (98).…”

Section: Microscopy Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Complex Phage-Host Interactions in Biofilm Communities

2021

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Bacteriophages and bacterial biofilms are widely present in natural environments, a fact that has accelerated the evolution of phages and their bacterial hosts in these particular niches. Phage-host interactions in biofilm communities are rather complex, where phages are not always merely predators but also can establish symbiotic relationships that induce and strengthen biofilms. In this review we provide an overview of the main features affecting phage-biofilm interactions as well as the currently available methods of studying these interactions. In addition, we address the applications of phages for biofilm control in different contexts. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Virology, Volume 8 is September 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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“…As expected araF STEC (pACYC araF STEC :: gfp +, pJM066) was induced in xylose as it is a low-affinity xylose transporter, but at a reduced level compared to arabinose (Supplementary Table 2). Utility of araBA STEC (pACYC araBAD STEC ::gfp+ , pJM058) was also demonstrated during biofilm formation of non-pathogenic E. coli [32]. Therefore, the promoter constructs could effectively be used as specific biosensors for the presence of L-arabinose.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of L-arabinose metabolism forEscherichia coliO157:H7 in edible plants

Crozier

Marshall

Holmes

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Arabinose is a major plant aldopentose in the form of arabinans complexed in cell wall polysaccharides or glycoproteins (AGP), but comparatively rare as a monosaccharide. L-arabinose is an important bacterial metabolite, accessed by pectolytic microorganisms such as Pectobacterium atrosepticum via pectin and hemicellulose degrading enzymes. However, not all plant-associated microbes encode cell wall degrading enzymes, yet can metabolise L-arabinose, raising questions about their use of and access to the glycan in plants. Therefore, we examined L-arabinose metabolism in the food-borne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 (isolate Sakai) during its colonisation of plants. L-arabinose metabolism (araBA) and transport (araF) genes were activated at 18 C in vitro by L-arabinose and expressed over prolonged periods in planta. Although deletion of araBAD did not impact the colonisation ability of E. coli O157:H7 (Sakai) on plants, araA was induced on exposure to spinach cell wall polysaccharides. Furthermore, debranched and arabinan oligosaccharides induced ara metabolism gene expression in vitro, and stimulated modest proliferation, while immobilised pectin did not. Thus, E. coli O157:H7 (Sakai) can utilise pectin/AGP-derived L-arabinose as a metabolite, but differs fundamentally in ara gene organisation, transport and regulation from the related pectinolytic species P. atrosepticum, reflective of distinct plant-associated lifestyles.

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Intra-colony channels in E. coli function as a nutrient uptake system

Cited by 71 publications

References 59 publications

Topography and Expansion Patterns at the Biofilm-Agar Interface in Bacillus subtilis Biofilms

Topography and Expansion Patterns at the Biofilm-Agar Interface in Bacillus subtilis Biofilms

Understanding the Complex Phage-Host Interactions in Biofilm Communities

The role of L-arabinose metabolism forEscherichia coliO157:H7 in edible plants

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