Biofilms are bacteria living in micro-colonies with a protective coating in sessile form. The biofilm protects bacteria from harsh surroundings as well as help in antibiotics resistance using a semi-fluid substance. Cellulose is the major component of biofilm, which provides the sticky appearance to bacteria for attaching to the substratum. The bacteria communicate in biofilm with the help of quorum sensing hormones Acylated Homoserine Lactones (AHL's). In Komagataeibacter xylinus the four genes Bcs A, Bcs B, Bcs C, Bcs D are associated with cellulose biosynthesis. The Bcs D subunits have a hypothetical octamer pore-like structure through which glucan molecule pass to form the cellulose. Therefore, it is of interest to document a structural understanding of Bcs D. Hence a homology model of Bcs D was simulated and analyzed further to gain functional insight towards biofilm formation.
Keywords: AHL's; Bacterial Biofilms; Bcs; Homology Modeling.