AbaR is a LuxR type regulator essential for motility and the formation of biofilm and pellicle in Acinetobacter baumanni
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Genes & Genomics https://doi.org/10.1007/s13258-020-01005-8
RESEARCH ARTICLE
AbaR is a LuxR type regulator essential for motility and the formation of biofilm and pellicle in Acinetobacter baumannii Man Hwan Oh1,2 · Kyudong Han3 Received: 8 September 2020 / Accepted: 23 September 2020 © The Genetics Society of Korea 2020
Abstract Background Acinetobacter baumannii is a major opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections. Acinetobacter baumannii possesses a quorum sensing system consisting of abaI, encoding an autoinducer synthase, and abaR, encoding a putative LuxR type regulator. AbaI is required for motility and biofilm formation in A. baumannii. However, the functions of AbaR on the expression of abaI, motility, and the formation of biofilm and pellicle have not yet been explored. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of abaR mutation on the expression of abaI, motility, and the formation of biofilm and pellicle. Methods Functions of AbaR were assessed by the construction of an isogenic mutant and by evaluating the effects of abaR mutation on the expression of abaI, motility, and the formation of biofilm and pellicle. Results The abaR mutant revealed a significant decrease in the expression of abaI. The disruption of abaR resulted in substantial defects in motility and the formation of biofilm and pellicle. Introduction of abaR in trans complemented the defects. Conclusions AbaR of A. baumannii is required for the expression of abaI and plays important roles in motility and the formation of biofilm and pellicle. AbaR may be considered to be a target of anti-biofilm agents. Keywords Acinetobacter baumannii · Pathogen · Quorum sensing · Motility · Biofilm
Introduction Acinetobacter baumannii is a major opportunistic pathogen that causes a variety of nosocomial infections, including bacteremia, pneumonia, meningitis, urinary tract infections, and wound infections (Dijkshoorn et al. 2007; Seifert et al. 1995). This pathogen typically infects immunocompromised patients. Acinetobacter baumannii persists in the harsh healthcare environments such as desiccation, nutrient starvation, and antimicrobial treatments (Dijkshoorn et al. 2007).
* Kyudong Han [email protected] 1
Department of Nanobiomedical Science, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
2
Center for Bio‑Medical Engineering Core Facility, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
3
Department of Microbiology, College of Science and Technology, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
The survival of A. baumannii under these unfavorable environmental conditions could be mediated by its ability to attach to and form biofilms on abiotic and biotic surfaces (Gaddy et al. 2009; Tomaras et al. 2003). Particularly, A. baumannii displays an enhanced capacity to form biofilm floating at the air–liquid interface (called pellicles) in which A. baumannii up-regulates the expression of potential virulence factors (Marti et al. 2011). The ability of A. baumannii to produce biofi
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