« Previous AbstractCulture systems: air quality    Next Abstract"Genetic isolation between two sympatric host-plant races of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner. I. Sex pheromone, moth emergence timing, and parasitism" »

Mol Microbiol

Title:		A fratricidal mechanism is responsible for eDNA release and contributes to biofilm development of Enterococcus faecalis
Author(s):		Thomas VC; Hiromasa Y; Harms N; Thurlow L; Tomich J; Hancock LE;
Address:		"Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 116 Ackert Hall, Manhattan, KS, USA"
Journal Title:		Mol Microbiol
Year:		2009
Volume:		20090421
Issue:		4
Page Number:		1022 - 1036
DOI:		10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06703.x
ISSN/ISBN:		1365-2958 (Electronic) 0950-382X (Print) 0950-382X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Extracellular DNA (eDNA), a by-product of cell lysis, was recently established as a critical structural component of the Enterococcus faecalis biofilm matrix. Here, we describe fratricide as the governing principle behind gelatinase (GelE)-mediated cell death and eDNA release. GFP reporter assays confirmed that GBAP (gelatinase biosynthesis-activating pheromone) quorum non-responders (GelE-SprE-) were a minority subpopulation of prey cells susceptible to the targeted fratricidal action of the quorum responsive predatorial majority (GelE+SprE+). The killing action is dependent on GelE, and the GelE producer population is protected from self-destruction by the co-production of SprE as an immunity protein. Targeted gene inactivation and protein interaction studies demonstrate that extracellular proteases execute their characteristic effects following downstream interactions with the primary autolysin, AtlA. Finally, we address a mechanism by which GelE and SprE may modify the cell wall affinity of proteolytically processed AtlA resulting in either a pro- or anti-lytic outcome"
Keywords:		"Bacterial Proteins/genetics/*metabolism Bacteriolysis Biofilms/*growth & development DNA, Bacterial/*metabolism Enterococcus faecalis/genetics/*growth & development/metabolism Gelatinases/metabolism Lactones/metabolism Mutagenesis, Insertional N-Acetylmur;"
Notes:		"MedlineThomas, Vinai Chittezham Hiromasa, Yasuaki Harms, Nathan Thurlow, Lance Tomich, John Hancock, Lynn E eng P20 RR016475/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/ P20 RR016475-09/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/ P20 RR16475/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2009/04/30 Mol Microbiol. 2009 May; 72(4):1022-36. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2009.06703.x. Epub 2009 Apr 21"