Heterogeneity in respiratory electron transfer and adaptive iron utilization in a bacterial biofilm

In Bacillus subtilis, robust biofilm formation requires large quantities of ferric iron. Here we show that this process requires preferential production of a siderophore precursor, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoate, instead of the siderophore bacillibactin. A large proportion of iron is associated extracellularly with the biofilm matrix. The biofilms are conductive, with extracellular iron potentially acting as electron acceptor. A relatively small proportion of ferric iron is internalized and boosts production of iron-containing enzymes involved in respiratory electron transfer and establishing strong membrane potential, which is key to biofilm matrix production. Our study highlights metabolic diversity and versatile energy generation strategies within B. subtilis biofilms.