Bacterial Multicellularity: The Biology of Escherichia coli Building Large-Scale Biofilm Communities
Biofilms are a widespread multicellular form of bacterial life. The spatial structure and emergent properties of these communities depend on a polymeric extracellular matrix architecture that is orders of magnitude larger than the cells that build it. Using as a model the wrinkly macrocolony biofilm...
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Published in | Annual review of microbiology Vol. 75; no. 1; pp. 269 - 290 |
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Main Authors | , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
United States
Annual Reviews
08.10.2021
Annual Reviews, Inc |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Biofilms are a widespread multicellular form of bacterial life. The spatial structure and emergent properties of these communities depend on a polymeric extracellular matrix architecture that is orders of magnitude larger than the cells that build it. Using as a model the wrinkly macrocolony biofilms of
Escherichia coli
, which contain amyloid curli fibers and phosphoethanolamine (pEtN)-modified cellulose as matrix components, we summarize here the structure, building, and function of this large-scale matrix architecture. Based on different sigma and other transcription factors as well as second messengers, the underlying regulatory network reflects the fundamental trade-off between growth and survival. It controls matrix production spatially in response to long-range chemical gradients, but it also generates distinct patterns of short-range matrix heterogeneity that are crucial for tissue-like elasticity and macroscopic morphogenesis. Overall, these biofilms confer protection and a potential for homeostasis, thereby reducing maintenance energy, which makes multicellularity an emergent property of life itself. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0066-4227 1545-3251 |
DOI: | 10.1146/annurev-micro-031921-055801 |