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Journal of Bacteriology, July 2005, p. 4392-4400, Vol. 187, No. 13
0021-9193/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.187.13.4392-4400.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

DNA Binding-Uptake System: a Link between Cell-to-Cell Communication and Biofilm Formation

Fernanda C. Petersen,1* Lin Tao,2 and Anne A. Scheie1

Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, N0316 Oslo, Norway,1 Department of Oral Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois2

Received 11 January 2005/ Accepted 22 March 2005

DNA has recently been described as a major structural component of the extracellular matrix in biofilms. In streptococci, the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) cell-to-cell signal is involved in competence for genetic transformation, biofilm formation, and autolysis. Among the genes regulated in response to the CSP are those involved in binding and uptake of extracellular DNA. We show in this study that a functional DNA binding-uptake system is involved in biofilm formation. A comGB mutant of Streptococcus mutans deficient in DNA binding and uptake, but unaffected in signaling, showed reduced biofilm formation. During growth in the presence of DNase I, biofilm was reduced in the wild type to levels similar to those found with the comGB mutant, suggesting that DNA plays an important role in the wild-type biofilm formation. We also showed that growth in the presence of synthetic CSP promoted significant release of DNA, with similar levels in the wild type and in the comGB mutant. The importance of the DNA binding-uptake system in biofilm formation points to possible novel targets to fight infections.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, N0316 Oslo, Norway. Phone: 47-22840352. Fax: 47-22840302. E-mail: cpaiva{at}odont.uio.no.

Journal of Bacteriology, July 2005, p. 4392-4400, Vol. 187, No. 13
0021-9193/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.187.13.4392-4400.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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