The exopolysaccharide–eDNA interaction modulates 3D architecture of Bacillus subtilis biofilm
Abstract Background Bacterial biofilms are a surface-adherent microbial community in which individual cells are surrounded by a self-produced extracellular matrix of polysaccharide, extracellular DNA (eDNA) and proteins. Interactions among matrix components within the biofilms are responsible for creating an adaptable structure during biofilm development. However, it is unclear how the interaction among matrix components contributes to the construction of the three-dimensional (3D) biofilm architecture. Results DNase I treatment could significantly inhibit B. subtilis biofilm formation in early phases. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and image analysis revealed that eDNA was cooperative with exopolysaccharide (EPS) in early stages of B. subtilis biofilm development, while EPS played a major structural role in the later stages. In addition, deletion of EPS production gene epsG in B. subtilis SBE1 resulted in loss of the interaction between EPS and eDNA, and reduction of biofilm biomass in pellicles at air-liquid interface. The physical interaction between these two essential biofilm matrix components was confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Conclusions The biofilm 3D structures become interconnected through surrounding eDNA and EPS. eDNA interacts with EPS in the early phases of biofilm development, while EPS mainly participates in the maturation of biofilm. The findings of this study provide better understanding of the role of interaction between eDNA and EPS in shaping the biofilm 3D matrix structure and biofilm formation.