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Microtiter Dish Biofilm Formation Assay
03:57

Microtiter Dish Biofilm Formation Assay

Published on: January 30, 2011

Genes involved in Cronobacter sakazakii biofilm formation

Isabel Hartmann1, Paula Carranza, Angelika Lehner

  • 1Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Winterthurerestrasse 272, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|February 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cronobacter sakazakii forms biofilms on surfaces, crucial for food safety. Flagella and unknown proteins, not cellulose, are key to its adhesion to intestinal cells.

Area of Science:

  • Food safety
  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial pathogenesis

Background:

  • Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic food-borne pathogens.
  • Contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF) is a source of Cronobacter infections.
  • Neonates are particularly vulnerable to severe infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate biofilm formation in Cronobacter sakazakii strain ES5.
  • Identify genes involved in biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces.
  • Determine factors contributing to Cronobacter adhesion to intestinal cells.

Main Methods:

  • Screened random transposon mutants of C. sakazakii ES5.
  • Utilized polystyrene microtiter assays for biofilm screening.
  • Performed genetic complementation and Caco-2 cell adhesion assays.

Main Results:

  • Identified genes related to cellulose and flagellar biosynthesis, cellular processes, and virulence.
  • Discovered hypothetical proteins ESA_00281 and ESA_00282 significantly impact biofilm architecture.
  • Found flagella and ESA_00281/ESA_00282, but not cellulose, contribute to Caco-2 cell adhesion.

Conclusions:

  • Flagella and hypothetical proteins ESA_00281/ESA_00282 are important for Cronobacter adhesion to intestinal cells.
  • Cellulose biosynthesis is not essential for Cronobacter adhesion in this context.
  • Understanding these factors can inform strategies to control Cronobacter infections.

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