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Autoinducer 2 affects biofilm formation by Bacillus cereus
Sandrine Auger1, Evelyne Krin, Stéphane Aymerich
1Microbiologie et Génétique Moléculaire, INRA (UMR1238), CNRS (UMR2585), INAPG, F-78850 Thiverval-Grignon, France.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|January 5, 2006
Summary
Bacillus cereus produces autoinducer 2 (AI-2), a signaling molecule. This AI-2 inhibits biofilm formation and promotes cell release in B. cereus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial communication
- Quorum sensing
Background:
- Bacillus cereus is a common bacterium with complex regulatory mechanisms.
- Bacterial biofilms contribute to persistence and pathogenicity.
- Autoinducer 2 (AI-2) is a known quorum sensing molecule involved in interspecies communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production and role of autoinducer 2 (AI-2) in Bacillus cereus.
- To determine the effect of AI-2 on biofilm formation and structure in B. cereus.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Bacillus cereus strain ATCC 10987.
- Utilizing a Photorhabdus luminescens DeltaluxS mutant to detect AI-2.
- Assessing the impact of exogenous AI-2 on B. cereus biofilm formation and preformed biofilms.
Main Results:
- Cell-free supernatants from B. cereus induced luminescence in the reporter strain, confirming AI-2 production.
- In vitro synthesized AI-2 significantly inhibited the formation of B. cereus biofilms.
- Exogenous AI-2 treatment promoted the detachment of cells from established B. cereus biofilms.
Conclusions:
- Bacillus cereus produces functional autoinducer 2 (AI-2).
- AI-2 plays a regulatory role in modulating biofilm dynamics in B. cereus.
- Targeting AI-2 signaling could be a strategy to control B. cereus biofilm.
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