Journal Article

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa lectin LecB binds to the exopolysaccharide Psl and stabilizes the biofilm matrix

Matwichuk, Michael L., Wozniak, Daniel J., Townsend, Delaney O., Lamba, Doriano, Passos da Silva, Daniel, Parsek, Matthew R., Reichhardt, Courtney

2019

Overview

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are composed of exopolysaccharides (EPS), exogenous DNA, and proteins that hold these communities together. P. aeruginosa produces lectins LecA and LecB, which possess affinities towards sugars found in matrix EPS and mediate adherence of P. aeruginosa to target host cells. Here, we demonstrate that LecB binds to Psl, a key matrix EPS, and this leads to increased retention of both cells and EPS in a growing biofilm. This interaction is predicted to occur between the lectin and the branched side chains present on Psl. Finally, we show that LecB coordinates Psl localization in the biofilm. This constitutes a unique function for LecB and identifies it as a matrix protein that contributes to biofilm structure through EPS interactions. Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are composed of exopolysaccharides, exogenous DNA, and proteins. Here, da Silva et al show that protein LecB binds to matrix exopolysaccharide Psl, thus contributing to increased retention of bacterial cells and exopolysaccharide in growing biofilms.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group,Nature Portfolio
• Subject: 14 / 42 / 42/70 / 631/326/421 / 631/326/46 / Biofilms / Chain branching / Deoxyribonucleic acid / DNA / Exopolysaccharides / Humanities and Social Sciences / Intravital Microscopy / Lectins / Lectins - isolation & purification / Lectins - metabolism / Localization / Matrix protein / Microscopy, Confocal / Molecular Docking Simulation / multidisciplinary / Pathogens / Polysaccharides, Bacterial - metabolism / Proteins / Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Pseudomonas aeruginosa - physiology / Retention / Science / Science (multidisciplinary) / Sugar