Spiroplasma spp. biofilm formation is instrumental for their role in the pathogenesis of plant, insect and animal diseases
Abstract
Spiroplasma spp. are important phyto and insect pathogens, and candidate causal agent/s of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) in man and animals. These filterable wall-less bacteria are widely distributed in nature with an unspecified environmental reservoir. In this study we showed by scanning electron microscopy that spiroplasma form biofilm on an assortment of hard surfaces including mica, nickel and stainless steel. Spiroplasma were stuck to the surfaces by fibrillar threads consistent with curli fibers (an amyloid protein found in bacterial biofilms). After a lengthy time in cultures (6 weeks), spiroplasma in biofilm bound to mica disks lost their spiral shapes and formed coccoid forms interconnected by long (>2 μm) branched membranous nanotubules, therein representing direct conjugate connections between the cells. The affinity of spiroplasma biofilms for mica and nickel, and the membrane communications suggest that soil could be a reservoir for these bacteria. The persistence of clay bound spiroplasma in soil could serve as the mechanism of lateral spread of TSEs by ingestion of soil by ruminants. Spiroplasma binding to stainless steel wire supports bacterial contamination of surgical instruments following s...Continue Reading
References
Pseudomonas aeruginosa-plant root interactions. Pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and root exudation
Effects of alcohols, povidone-iodine and hydrogen peroxide on biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis
The curli nucleator protein, CsgB, contains an amyloidogenic domain that directs CsgA polymerization
Citations
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Alzheimer's Disease: APP
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) proteolysis is critical for the development of Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disease associated with accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain. Here is the latest research on APP and Alzheimer's disease.
Biofilm & Infectious Disease
Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor for a wide range of microorganisms that cause chronic infections.Here is the latest research on biofilm and infectious diseases.
Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid Beta
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease associated with the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the brain; these plaques are comprised of amyloid beta deposits. Here is the latest research in this field.
Biofilms
Biofilms are adherent bacterial communities embedded in a polymer matrix and can cause persistent human infections that are highly resistant to antibiotics. Discover the latest research on Biofilms here.