Effects of glucose on fsr-mediated biofilm formation in Enterococcus faecalis

J Infect Dis. 2004 Sep 1;190(5):967-70. doi: 10.1086/423139. Epub 2004 Jul 27.

Abstract

Biofilm production is frequently dependent on such environmental factors as cell density and glucose concentration. The Enterococcus faecalis quorum-sensing locus (fsr) increases enterococcal virulence in multiple animal models. To date, fsr has been shown to regulate the transcription of 2 downstream protease genes. We demonstrate that the effect of fsr mutations on biofilm formation, as well as the fsr-mediated catabolite control of biofilm, is mediated via these proteases. The present study provides additional insight into the mechanisms used by E. faecalis to establish nosocomial infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism
  • Enterococcus faecalis / genetics
  • Enterococcus faecalis / growth & development*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mutation

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • FsrA protein, Enterococcus faecalis
  • Endopeptidases
  • Glucose