Biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa wild type, flagella and type IV pili mutants

Summary Biofilm formation by Gfp‐tagged Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 wild type, flagella and type IV pili mutants in flow chambers irrigated with citrate minimal medium was characterized by the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy and comstat image analysis. Flagella and type IV pili were not ne...

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Published in:Molecular microbiology 2003-06, Vol.48 (6), p.1511-1524
Main Authors: Klausen, Mikkel, Heydorn, Arne, Ragas, Paula, Lambertsen, Lotte, Aaes‐Jørgensen, Anders, Molin, Søren, Tolker‐Nielsen, Tim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biofilms - growth & development
Citrates - metabolism
Culture Media
Fimbriae, Bacterial - genetics
Fimbriae, Bacterial - metabolism
Flagella - genetics
Flagella - metabolism
Green Fluorescent Proteins
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Luminescent Proteins - genetics
Luminescent Proteins - metabolism
Microscopy, Confocal
Mutation
Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genetics
Pseudomonas aeruginosa - metabolism
Pseudomonas aeruginosa - physiology
Software
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Summary:Summary Biofilm formation by Gfp‐tagged Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 wild type, flagella and type IV pili mutants in flow chambers irrigated with citrate minimal medium was characterized by the use of confocal laser scanning microscopy and comstat image analysis. Flagella and type IV pili were not necessary for P. aeruginosa initial attachment or biofilm formation, but the cell appendages had roles in biofilm development, as wild type, flagella and type IV pili mutants formed biofilms with different structures. Dynamics and selection during biofilm formation were investigated by tagging the wild type and flagella/type IV mutants with Yfp and Cfp and performing time‐lapse confocal laser scanning microscopy in mixed colour biofilms. The initial microcolony formation occurred by clonal growth, after which wild‐type P. aeruginosa bacteria spread over the substratum by means of twitching motility. The wild‐type biofilms were dynamic compositions with extensive motility, competition and selection occurring during development. Bacterial migration prevented the formation of larger microcolonial structures in the wild‐type biofilms. The results are discussed in relation to the current model for P. aeruginosa biofilm development.
ISSN:0950-382X
1365-2958
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03525.x