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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania » Eastern Regional Research Center » Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290266
Title: Prophage insertions in mlrA are not the major obstacle to biofilm formation in Escherichia coli O157:H7

Author
item Uhlich, Gaylen
item Chen, Chinyi
item DUDLEY, E - Pennsylvania State University
item Hofmann, Christopher
item Cottrell, Bryan

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2013
Publication Date: 5/18/2014
Citation: Uhlich, G.A., Chen, C., Dudley, E.G., Hofmann, C.S., Cottrell, B.J. 2014. Prophage insertions in mlrA are not the major obstacle to biofilm formation in Escherichia coli O157:H7. Meeting Abstract. MA.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: Although a curli and biofilm expressing phenotype can be induced in Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7, strains examined under laboratory conditions are almost exclusively biofilm deficient and the reason for these deficiencies have remained elusive. CsgD, the central biofilm regulator, induces expression of the key biofilm components, curli fibers and cellulose. CsgD is highly regulated and requires both the RpoS sigma factor and its DNA-binding transcriptional activator, MlrA. In this study we test the unproven theory that phage insertions in mlrA are a major barrier to biofilm formation. Methods: Using 55 isolates of serotype O157:H7, we determined the prevalence of curli expression, biofilm formation, and prophage insertion in the mlrA gene. We then used complementation with a high-copy-number plasmid carrying mlrA to determine the effect of prophage insertion on both curli expression and biofilm formation. Results: Only 4 of the 55 strains showed affinity for Congo red, a curli-binding dye, and none of the strains formed significant biofilm. Prophage insertions were found in 53 of 55 strains. However, neither of the two strains with an intact mlrA formed biofilm. When plasmid pUC19::mlrA was transformed into the strains carrying a prophage in mlrA, only 15 strains showed increases in both CR affinity and biofilm formation. An additional 13 strains showed increases only in CR affinity, while 24 strains failed to express curli or biofilm. Conclusions: Although prophage insertions limit biofilm formation in some strains, additional barriers restrict biofilm and curli expression in the majority of serotype O157:H7 strains.