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Updated: Jun 29, 2025
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Bile Salt-induced Biofilm Formation in Enteric Pathogens: Techniques for Identification and Quantification
Published on: May 6, 2018
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SOS-Inducing Drugs Trigger Nucleic Acid Release and Biofilm Formation in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Peter Demjanenko1, Sam Zheng1, John K Crane2
1Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Room 317 Biomedical Research Bldg., 3435 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
Biomolecules
|March 28, 2024
Summary
Bacterial SOS response, triggered by drugs, releases DNA, RNA, and proteins. This response also forms biofilms and can be inhibited by specific compounds, offering potential therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
Background:
- The SOS response in bacteria is a critical DNA repair mechanism.
- Previous studies indicated DNA release during the SOS response.
- Extracellular DNA release from bacterial cells was not previously reported.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the composition of extracellular material released during the bacterial SOS response.
- To determine if SOS-inducing drugs affect biofilm formation.
- To evaluate the efficacy of SOS response inhibitors on DNA release.
Main Methods:
- Induction of the SOS response using SOS-inducing drugs in enteric bacteria.
- Analysis of released extracellular components, including DNA, RNA, and proteins.
- Biofilm formation assays at the air-fluid interface.
- Testing of various SOS response inhibitors (zinc salts, nitric oxide donors, dequalinium).
Main Results:
- SOS response induction led to the release of single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, RNA, and proteins.
- SOS-inducing drugs promoted biofilm formation containing DNA.
- SOS response inhibitors effectively blocked SOS-induced DNA release.
Conclusions:
- The bacterial SOS response involves the release of diverse biomolecules and promotes biofilm formation.
- Understanding SOS-induced extracellular release is crucial for comprehending bacterial pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance.
- SOS response inhibitors show promise for blocking detrimental SOS response effects.
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