Author(s): Afonso , Ana C. ; Simões, Manuel ; Saavedra, Maria José ; Simões, Lúcia Chaves ; Lema, Juan M. ; Trueba-Santiso, Alba
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/92466
Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Subject(s): Aggregation; Cell-cell interaction; Cellular appendages; Multispecies biofilm; Proteomics; TEM
Aim: Coaggregation, a highly specific cell-cell interaction mechanism, plays a pivotal role in multispecies biofilm formation. While it has been mostly studied in oral environments, its occurrence in aquatic systems is also acknowledged. Considering biofilm formation's economic and health-related implications in engineered water systems, it is crucial to understand its mechanisms. Here, we hypothesized that traceable differences at the proteome level might determine coaggregation ability. Methods and Results: Two strains of Delftia acidovorans, isolated from drinking water were studied. First, in vitro motility assays indicated more swarming and twitching motility for the coaggregating strain (C+) than non-coaggregating strain (C-). By transmission electronic microscopy, we confirmed the presence of flagella for both strains. By proteomics, we detected a significantly higher expression of type IV pilus twitching motility proteins in C+, in line with the motility assays. Moreover, flagellum ring proteins were more abundant in C+, while those involved in the formation of the flagellar hook (FlE and FilG) were only detected in C-. All the results combined suggested structural and conformational differences between stains in their cell appendages. Conclusion: This study presents an alternative approach for identifying protein biomarkers to detect coaggregation abilities in uncharacterized strains.
