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Identification and characterization of Acinetobacter nosocomialis BfmRS, two-component regulatory system, essential for biofilm development

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Abstract

Background

Biofilm development by bacteria is considered to be an essential stage in the bacterial infection. Acinetobacter nosocomialis is an important nosocomial pathogen causing a variety of human infections. However, characteristics and specific determinants of biofilm development have been poorly characterized in A. nosocomialis.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the factors involved in the biofilm development by A. nosocomialis.

Methods

Library of random transposon mutants was constructed using the Tn5 mutagenesis. The mutant strains, in which the ability of biofilm formation was significantly impaired, were screened by gentian violet staining. The roles of BfmR and BfmS were determined by constructing a bfmR and bfmS deletion mutant and analyzing the effects of bfmR and bfmS mutation on the biofilm development and motility of A. nosocomialis.

Results

We identified a biofilm-defective mutant in which a transposon insertion inactivated an open reading frame encoding the BfmR in a two-component regulatory system consisting of BfmR and BfmS. The bfmR mutant revealed a significant reduction in biofilm formation and motility compared to wild-type strain. Deficiency in the biofilm formation and motility of the bfmR mutant was restored by single copy bfmR complementation. In contrast, the bfmS mutant had no effect on biofilm formation.

Conclusion

A. nosocomialis has a two-component regulatory system, BfmRS. BfmR is a response regulator required for the initial attachment and maturation of biofilm during the biofilm development as well as the bacterial growth. BfmR could be a potential drug target for A. nosocomialis infection.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Center for Bio-Medical Engineering Core Facility at Dankook University for providing critical reagents and equipment (Bio-Rad T100 Thermal Cycler and Titertek Berthold).

Funding

The present research was supported by the research fund of Dankook University in 2021.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology and Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea

    Chul Hee Choi

  2. Department of Cosmedical and Materials, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea

    Seyoung Mun

  3. Department of Microbiology, College of Science and Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea

    Seyoung Mun & Man Hwan Oh

  4. Center for Bio‑Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea

    Seyoung Mun & Man Hwan Oh

  5. Smart Animal Bio Institute, Dankook University, Cheonan, 31116, Republic of Korea

    Seyoung Mun & Man Hwan Oh

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  1. Chul Hee Choi
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  2. Seyoung Mun
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Correspondence to Man Hwan Oh.

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Choi, C.H., Mun, S. & Oh, M.H. Identification and characterization of Acinetobacter nosocomialis BfmRS, two-component regulatory system, essential for biofilm development. Genes Genom 46, 531–539 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-024-01509-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-024-01509-7

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