A Self-Produced Trigger for Biofilm Disassembly that Targets Exopolysaccharide (Retracted article. See vol. 161, pg. 946, 2015)

作者：Kolodkin Gal Ilana; Cao Shugeng; Chai Liraz; Boettcher Thomas; Kolter Roberto; Clardy Jon^*; Losick Richard

来源：Cell, 2012, 149(3): 684-692.

DOI：10.1016/j.cell.2012.02.055

Biofilms are structured communities of bacteria that are held together by an extracellular matrix consisting of protein and exopolysaccharide. Biofilms often have a limited lifespan, disassembling as nutrients become exhausted and waste products accumulate. D-amino acids were previously identified as a self-produced factor that mediates biofilm disassembly by causing the release of the protein component of the matrix in Bacillus subtilis. Here we report that B. subtilis produces an additional biofilm-disassembly factor, norspermidine. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy experiments indicated that norspermidine interacts directly and specifically with exopolysaccharide. D-amino acids and norspermidine acted together to break down existing biofilms and mutants blocked in the production of both factors formed long-lived biofilms. Norspermidine, but not closely related polyamines, prevented biofilm formation by B. subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.

• 出版日期2012-4-27