Point Mutations Lead to Increased Levels of c-di-GMP and Phenotypic Changes to the Colony Biofilm Morphology in <i>Alcanivorax borkumensis</i> SK2

Abstract

Alcanivorax borkumensis is a ubiquitous marine bacterium that utilizes alkanes as a sole carbon source. We observed two phenotypes in the A. borkumensis SK2 type strain: rough (R) and smooth (S) types. The S type exhibited lower motility and higher polysaccharide production than the R type. Full genome sequencing revealed a mutation in the S type involved in cyclic-di-GMP production. The present results suggest that higher c-di-GMP levels in the S type control the biofilm forming behavior of this bacterium in a manner commensurate with other Gram-negative bacteria.

Evolution of cyclic di-GMP signalling on a short and long term time scale

“…The impact of these observations, however, extends beyond laboratory investigations as, for example, Vibrio cholerae chlorine resistant rugose variants can be isolated from environmental sources [22, 27]. Spontaneous and induced alterations and phase variation in colony morphology from rugose/rdar/wrinkly to smooth or vice versa and other morphological switching events have led to the identification of single amino acid substitutions in cyclic di-GMP turnover proteins with up- or down-regulation of catalytic activities as consequence [28]. As such was the phase variation from a smooth to a rugose colony morphology caused by a single amino acid substitution (W240R) in the diguanylate cyclase VpvC () of V.…”

Growth and genome-based insights of Fe(III) reduction of the high-temperature and NaCl-tolerant Shewanella xiamenensis from Changqing oilfield of China

“…The microorganisms in biofilm have low metabolic activity, long survival time and strong adaptability. Shewanella species can form biofilms as one way for adapting to extreme environments ( Prasad et al, 2019 ). Flagella-mediated motility plays an important role in both surface adhesion and biofilm formation ( Moe et al, 2010 ).…”

“…The total lipid content and saturated fat have higher melting points, and the expression of related genes enhances the heat stress resistance of bacteria ( Urbieta et al, 2015 ). Additionally, biofilm plays an important role in the whole process of microbial resistance to high-temperature stress ( Prasad et al, 2019 ). The CQ-Y1 growth was severely inhibited when the temperature was above 45°C.…”

Recent Biofilm Studies Open a New Door in Microbial Ecology

“…The S type exhibited lower motility and higher polysaccharide production than the R type. Full genome sequencing revealed a mutation in the S type involved in cyclic dimeric guanine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) production (Prasad et al, 2019). They also added hexadecane (as a model oil substrate) to observe changes in gene expression from those with pyruvate as a conventional substrate.…”