Mechanosensing of shear by Pseudomonas aeruginosa leads to increased levels of the cyclic-di-GMP signal initiating biofilm development
Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: , it has long been known that intracellular levels of the signal cyclic-di-GMP increase upon surface adhesion and that this is required to begin biofilm development. However, what cue is sensed to notify bacteria that they are attached to the surface has not been known. Here, we show that mechanical shear acts as a cue for surface adhesion and activates cyclic-di-GMP signaling. The magnitude of the shear force, and thereby the corresponding activation of cyclic-di-GMP signaling, can be adjusted both by varying the strength of the adhesion that binds bacteria to the surface and by varying the rate of fluid flow over surface-bound bacteria. We show that the envelope protein PilY1 and functional type IV pili are required mechanosensory elements. An analytic model that accounts for the feedback between mechanosensors, cyclic-di-GMP signaling, and production of adhesive polysaccharides describes our data well.
Authors: Christopher A. Rodesney, Brian Roman, Numa Dhamani, Benjamin J. Cooley, Parag Katira, Ahmed Touhami, Vernita D. Gordon
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2617433376