Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: J Bacteriol. 2002 Oct;184(20):5678-85.
Related Articles, Links
Click here to read Click here to read Click here to read
Biofilm formation and acyl homoserine lactone production in the Burkholderia cepacia complex.

Conway BA, Venu V, Speert DP.

Department of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia, BC Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V5Z 4H4.

Acyl homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL)-mediated gene regulation has been shown to influence biofilm formation in one Burkholderia cepacia cystic fibrosis isolate, but it is not known whether this relationship is a consistent feature of the several genomic species that make up the B. cepacia complex (BCC). We screened strains belonging to genomovars I to V of the BCC for biofilm formation on an abiotic surface and for acyl-HSL synthesis. We determined that organisms from each of these genomovars were capable of biofilm formation. Similarly, acyl-HSL was synthesized by organisms from each of genomovars I to V, with most isolates producing octanoyl-HSL in greatest abundance. When biofilms were grown in Luria broth, acyl-HSL synthesis and biofilm formation appeared to be associated, but these phenotypes were independent when the biofilms were grown in basal salts containing citrate. Genomovar V strains synthesized the greatest quantities of acyl-HSL, and genomovar II and III-A strains elaborated the most abundant biofilms. Quorum sensing may play a role in BCC pathogenesis, but it may not regulate biofilm formation under all growth conditions.

Publication Types:
PMID: 12270826 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC139610