The Gene Cluster Cj0423–Cj0425 Negatively Regulates Biofilm Formation in Campylobacter jejuni

Abstract

Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) is a zoonotic foodborne pathogen that is widely distributed worldwide. Its optimal growth environment is microaerophilic conditions (5% O2, 10% CO2), but it can spread widely in the atmospheric environment. Biofilms are thought to play an important role in this process. However, there are currently relatively few research works on the regulatory mechanisms of C. jejuni biofilm formation. In this study, a pan-genome analysis, combined with the analysis of biofilm phenotypic information, revealed that the gene cluster Cj0423–Cj0425 is associated with the negative regulation of biofilm formation in C. jejuni. Through gene knockout experiments, it was observed that the Cj0423–Cj0425 mutant strain significantly increased biofilm formation and enhanced flagella formation. Furthermore, pull-down assay revealed that Cj0424 interacts with 93 proteins involved in pathways such as fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism, and it also contains the quorum sensing-related gene luxS. This suggests that Cj0423–Cj0425 affects fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism, influencing quorum sensing and strain motility, ultimately inhibiting biofilm formation.