Discovery of Two Bacterial Nitric Oxide-Responsive Proteins and Their Roles in Bacterial Biofilm Regulation

ConspectusBacterial biofilms form when bacteria adhere to a surface and produce an exopolysaccharide matrix (Costerton Science 1999, 284, 1318; Davies Science 1998, 280, 295; Flemming Nat. Rev. Microbiol. 2010, 8, 623). Because biofilms are resistant to antibiotics, they are problematic in many aspects of human health and welfare, causing, for instance, persistent fouling of medical implants such as catheters and artificial joints (Brunetto Chimia 2008, 62, 249). They are responsible for chronic infections in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients and in open wounds, such as those associated with burns and diabetes. They are also a major contributor to hospital-acquired infections (Sievert Infec. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2013, 34, 1; Tatterson Front. Biosci. 2001, 6, D890).It has been hypothesized that effective methods of biofilm control will have widespread application (Landini Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2010, 86, 813). A promising strategy is to target the mechanisms that drive biofilm dispersal, beca...