Role of autolysin-mediated DNA release in biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

TY - JOUR

T1 - Role of autolysin-mediated DNA release in biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

AU - Qin, Zhiqiang

AU - Ou, Yuanzhu

AU - Yang, Liang

AU - Zhu, Yuli

AU - Tolker-Nielsen, Tim

AU - Molin, Soeren

AU - Qu, Di

N1 - Keywords: Adhesins, Bacterial; Bacterial Adhesion; Biofilms; DNA, Bacterial; DNA-Binding Proteins; N-Acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine Amidase; Staphylococcus epidermidis

PY - 2007

Y1 - 2007

N2 - Staphylococcus epidermidis has become a serious nosocomial pathogen frequently causing infections associated with implanted foreign materials. Biofilm formation is considered a major factor determining S. epidermidis pathogenicity in such device-associated infections. Here, evidence is presented that extracellular DNA is important for the initial phase of biofilm development by S. epidermidis on polystyrene or glass surfaces under static or hydrodynamic conditions. Comparative PCR amplification from S. epidermidis chromosomal and extracellular DNA indicated that the extracellular DNA is similar to chromosomal DNA. Experiments involving the S. epidermidis wild-type and an isogenic atlE mutant indicated that most of the extracellular DNA in S. epidermidis cultures and biofilms is generated through activity of the autolysin AtlE. The presented results suggest that extracellular DNA is generated in S. epidermidis populations through AtlE-mediated lysis of a subpopulation of the bacteria, and that the extracellular DNA promotes biofilm formation of the remaining population.

AB - Staphylococcus epidermidis has become a serious nosocomial pathogen frequently causing infections associated with implanted foreign materials. Biofilm formation is considered a major factor determining S. epidermidis pathogenicity in such device-associated infections. Here, evidence is presented that extracellular DNA is important for the initial phase of biofilm development by S. epidermidis on polystyrene or glass surfaces under static or hydrodynamic conditions. Comparative PCR amplification from S. epidermidis chromosomal and extracellular DNA indicated that the extracellular DNA is similar to chromosomal DNA. Experiments involving the S. epidermidis wild-type and an isogenic atlE mutant indicated that most of the extracellular DNA in S. epidermidis cultures and biofilms is generated through activity of the autolysin AtlE. The presented results suggest that extracellular DNA is generated in S. epidermidis populations through AtlE-mediated lysis of a subpopulation of the bacteria, and that the extracellular DNA promotes biofilm formation of the remaining population.

U2 - 10.1099/mic.0.2007/006031-0

DO - 10.1099/mic.0.2007/006031-0

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 17600053

SN - 1350-0872

VL - 153

SP - 2083

EP - 2092

JO - Microbiology

JF - Microbiology

IS - Pt 7

ER -