IscR Controls Iron-Dependent Biofilm Formation in Escherichia coli by Regulating Type I Fimbria Expression

Y Wu, FW Outten - Journal of bacteriology, 2009 - Am Soc Microbiol
Journal of bacteriology, 2009Am Soc Microbiol
Biofilm formation is a complex developmental process regulated by multiple environmental
signals. In addition to other nutrients, the transition metal iron can also regulate biofilm
formation. Iron-dependent regulation of biofilm formation varies by bacterial species, and the
exact regulatory pathways that control iron-dependent biofilm formation are often unknown
or only partially characterized. To address this gap in our knowledge, we examined the role
of iron availability in regulating biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. The results indicate that …
Abstract
Biofilm formation is a complex developmental process regulated by multiple environmental signals. In addition to other nutrients, the transition metal iron can also regulate biofilm formation. Iron-dependent regulation of biofilm formation varies by bacterial species, and the exact regulatory pathways that control iron-dependent biofilm formation are often unknown or only partially characterized. To address this gap in our knowledge, we examined the role of iron availability in regulating biofilm formation in Escherichia coli. The results indicate that biofilm formation is repressed under low-iron conditions in E. coli. Furthermore, a key iron regulator, IscR, controls biofilm formation in response to changes in cellular Fe-S homeostasis. IscR regulates the FimE recombinase to control expression of type I fimbriae in E. coli. We propose that iron-dependent regulation of FimE via IscR leads to decreased surface attachment and biofilm dispersal under iron-limiting conditions.
American Society for Microbiology