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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
10:05
Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
Published on: May 6, 2018
Coaggregation between aquatic bacteria is mediated by specific-growth-phase-dependent lectin-saccharide interactions
A H Rickard1, S A Leach, C M Buswell
1University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|January 5, 2000
Summary
Aquatic bacteria strains, Blastomonas natatoria and Micrococcus luteus, show coaggregation dependent on growth phase. This interaction involves lectin adhesins and saccharide receptors, reversible by sugars.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Coaggregation is a significant phenomenon in aquatic bacterial communities.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of bacterial coaggregation is crucial for microbial ecology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify coaggregating aquatic bacterial strains using molecular methods.
- To investigate the role of growth phase and surface molecules in bacterial coaggregation.
Main Methods:
- Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial identification.
- Coaggregation assays with varying culture ages.
- Assays to determine the nature of adhesins and receptors (heat, protease, sugar sensitivity).
Main Results:
- Identified coaggregating strains of Blastomonas natatoria and Micrococcus luteus.
- Coaggregation peaked during the stationary phase of bacterial growth.
- Coaggregation involved heat- and protease-sensitive lectin adhesins and saccharide receptors, reversible by sugars.
Conclusions:
- Bacterial coaggregation is influenced by growth phase and specific surface molecular interactions.
- Lectin-saccharide interactions are key mediators of coaggregation in these aquatic bacteria.
- The findings provide insights into the ecological significance of bacterial adhesion in aquatic environments.
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