Quorum sensing-controlled biofilm development in Serratia liquefaciens MG1

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Maurizio Labbate
  • Shu Yeong Queck
  • Kai Shyang Koh
  • Scott A Rice
  • Givskov, Michael
  • Staffan Kjelleberg
Serratia liquefaciens MG1 contains an N-acylhomoserine lactone-mediated quorum-sensing system that is known to regulate swarming motility colonization. In this study, we describe for S. liquefaciens MG1 the development of a novel biofilm consisting of cell aggregates and differentiated cell types, such as cell chains and long filamentous cells. Furthermore, quorum sensing is shown to be crucial for normal biofilm development and for elaborate differentiation. A mutant of S. liquefaciens MG1 that was incapable of synthesizing extracellular signal formed a thin and nonmature biofilm lacking cell aggregates and differentiated cell chains. Signal-based complementation of this mutant resulted in a biofilm with the wild-type architecture. Two quorum-sensing-regulated genes (bsmA and bsmB) involved in biofilm development were identified, and we propose that these genes are engaged in fine-tuning the formation of cell aggregates at a specific point in biofilm development.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Bacteriology
Volume186
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)692-8
Number of pages6
ISSN0021-9193
Publication statusPublished - 2004
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Keywords: 4-Butyrolactone; Biofilms; Serratia liquefaciens

ID: 10615170