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Molecular mechanisms of compounds affecting bacterial biofilm formation and dispersal

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Abstract

Bacteria can switch between planktonic forms (single cells) and biofilms, i.e., bacterial communities growing on solid surfaces and embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. Biofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria often results in lower susceptibility to antibiotic treatments and in the development of chronic infections; thus, biofilm formation can be considered an important virulence factor. In recent years, much attention has been directed towards understanding the biology of biofilms and towards searching for inhibitors of biofilm development and of biofilm-related cellular processes. In this report, we review selected examples of target-based screening for anti-biofilm agents: We focus on inhibitors of quorum sensing, possibly the most characterized target for molecules with anti-biofilm activity, and on compounds interfering with the metabolism of the signal molecule cyclic di-GMP metabolism and on inhibitors of DNA and nucleotide biosynthesis, which represent a novel and promising class of biofilm inhibitors. Finally, we discuss the activation of biofilm dispersal as a novel mode of action for anti-biofilm compounds.

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Acknowledgments

Research work in P.L.'s lab was supported by the Italian Foundation for Research on Cystic Fibrosis (project FFC#9/2006, adopted by Gruppo Rocciatori di Belluno) and by the CHEM-PROFARMA-NET Research Program of the Italian Ministry for University and Research (Project RBPR05NWWC_004). RN was funded by a fellowship from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme, under grant agreement PIEF-GA-2008-219592. JGB acknowledges financial support from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (Awards: NER/T/S/2002/00586/2 and NE/G011206/1.)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy

    Paolo Landini & Davide Antoniani

  2. The Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, NE30 4PZ, Newcastle, UK

    J. Grant Burgess & Reindert Nijland

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  1. Paolo Landini
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  2. Davide Antoniani
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  3. J. Grant Burgess
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  4. Reindert Nijland
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Correspondence to Paolo Landini.

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Landini, P., Antoniani, D., Burgess, J.G. et al. Molecular mechanisms of compounds affecting bacterial biofilm formation and dispersal. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 86, 813–823 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2468-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-010-2468-8

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