EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION BY SALMONELLA ENTERICA SEROVAR TYPHIMURIUM BIOFILMS GROWN ON EUKARYOTIC CELL SURFACES

Authors: LEDEBOER, NATHAN - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY; Frye, Jonathan; MCCLELLAND, MICHAEL - SIDNEY KIMMEL CANCER CTR; JONES, BRAD - IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2004
Publication Date: 5/27/2004
Citation: Ledeboer, N.A., Frye, J.G., Mcclelland, M., Jones, B.D. 2004. Exopolysaccharide production by salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium biofilms grown on eukaryotic cell surfaces. American Society for Microbiology Meeting. B-120.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: An important step in the lifestyle of a bacterial pathogen is its ability to adhere to and colonize a host surface. The ability of intestinal pathogens to establish themselves within the flora of the intestine is likely an important prerequisite for their ability to establish infection of a host. Based on microarray analysis, we have identified colanic acid as one possible component in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium exopolysaccharide (EPS). Colanic acid has been shown to be an important component of EPS in Escherichia coli biofilms, but has not been described in Salmonella biofilms. To determine the role of colanic acid in Salmonella biofilms formed on eukaryotic cell surfaces we have disrupted the wcaM gene and performed biofilm studies on the mutant. Biofilm assays confirm a reduced capacity of the wcaM mutant to form biofilm on HEp-2 cells. We have confirmed the phenotype of our mutant by quantifying colanic acid. In a separate study we have preliminary data indicating that cellulose may also be a component of EPS in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium biofilms formed on HEp-2 cells. Based on these findings, we are investigating the role of colanic acid and other components in EPS in biofilm formation.