Mutation of the Streptococcus gordonii Thiol-Disulfide Oxidoreductase SdbA Leads to Enhanced Biofilm Formation Mediated by the CiaRH Two-Component Signaling System

PLoS One. 2016 Nov 15;11(11):e0166656. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166656. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Streptococcus gordonii is a commensal inhabitant of human oral biofilms. Previously, we identified an enzyme called SdbA that played an important role in biofilm formation by S. gordonii. SdbA is thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase that catalyzes disulfide bonds in secreted proteins. Surprisingly, inactivation of SdbA results in enhanced biofilm formation. In this study we investigated the basis for biofilm formation by the ΔsdbA mutant. The results revealed that biofilm formation was mediated by the interaction between the CiaRH and ComDE two-component signalling systems. Although it did not affect biofilm formation by the S. gordonii parent strain, CiaRH was upregulated in the ΔsdbA mutant and it was essential for the enhanced biofilm phenotype. The biofilm phenotype was reversed by inactivation of CiaRH or by the addition of competence stimulating peptide, the production of which is blocked by CiaRH activity. Competition assays showed that the enhanced biofilm phenotype also corresponded to increased oral colonization in mice. Thus, the interaction between SdbA, CiaRH and ComDE affects biofilm formation both in vitro and in vivo.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Histidine Kinase / genetics*
  • Histidine Kinase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Operon / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Streptococcal Infections / genetics
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcus gordonii / genetics*
  • Streptococcus gordonii / pathogenicity

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • SdbA protein, bacteria
  • Protein Kinases
  • Histidine Kinase
  • CiaR protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae

Grants and funding

This work was funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, grant #183712, to SL. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.