Clostridium perfringens is a species of gram-positive, obligate anaerobic spore-forming bacteria of the genus Clostridium.
It also turned out that Clostridium is capable ofform biofilms. In these biofilms, the bacterial community is covered with a dense matrix of so-called extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). They contain proteins, nucleic acids and sugar molecules - thus protecting themselves from external hazards. As of today, it is still unclear how Clostridium uses biofilms to survive in oxygen-rich environments that are toxic to them.
Researchers have created a library of 1,360mutant cells in Clostridia to see which proteins are required for biofilm formation at 25 ° C. During the screening, they discovered the presence of a new protein called BsaA, which is made inside the bacteria and transported outside. Without BsaA, bacteria either formed a fragile biofilm. The researchers then showed that several BsaA proteins assembled in the polymer outside the cells to form a stable mucous biofilm that has adhesion properties. When exposed to the antibiotic penicillin G or oxygen, clostridia lacking the BsaA protein have significantly reduced survival compared to normal bacteria of this species
The research provides insight into the development of new antibacterial strategies, scientists say.
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