Curli Fibers Are Required for Development of Biofilm Architecture in Escherichia coli K‐12 and Enhance Bacterial Adherence to Human Uroepithelial Cells
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: Sessile bacteria show phenotypical, biochemical, and morphological differences from their planktonic counterparts. Curli, extracellular structures important for biofilm formation, are only produced at temperatures below 30 C in Escherichia coli K-12 strains. In this report, we show that E. coli K-12 can produce curli at 37 C when grown as a biofilm community. The curli-expressing strain formed more biofilms on polyurethane sheets than the curli-deficient strain under growth temperatures of both 25 C and 37 C. Curli are required for the formation of a three-dimensional mature biofilm, with characteristic water channels and pillars of bacteria. Observations by electron microscopy revealed the presence at the surfaces of the curli-deficient mutant in biofilm of flagella and type I pili. A wild-type curli-expressing E. coli strain significantly adhered to several lines of human uroepithelial cells, more so than an isogenic curlideficient strain. The finding that curli are expressed at 37 C in biofilm and enhance bacterial adherence to mammalian host cells suggests an important role for curli in pathogenesis.
Source: Microbiology and Immunology
Authors: Tatsuya Kikuchi, Yoshimitsu Mizunoe, Akemi Takade, Seiji Naito, Shin‐ichi Yoshida
Institutions: Kyushu University, Kyushu University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Microbiology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2165064655