The polysaccharide capsule in biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae

• Grant number: 21/13787-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Rojas Converso
• Grantee: Giulia Vicente Destro
• Host Institution: Universidade São Francisco (USF). Campus Bragança Paulista. Bragança Paulista , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/03868-3 - Influence of type 2 quorum sensing in a multi species biofilm model, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a pathogen commonly associated with morbidity and mortality in children and the elderly, especially in less developed countries, causing about one million deaths annually. During its colonization process, which usually occurs in the nasopharynx, there is the possibility of invading sterile sites and causing disease, but it is also susceptible to biofilm formation, a virulence mechanism that helps the bacteria in the processes of colonization, bacterial dispersion and resistance to antibacterial drugs. For the formation of biofilm, communication via quorum-sensing is necessary, from AI2 molecules, enabling intra and interspecies communication. In addition, studies indicate that the polysaccharide capsule can influence biofilm formation and colonization. Given the importance of biofilm formation, virulence and colonization mechanisms, this study aims to understand how the capsule can influence biofilm formation and the production of AI-2 molecules in the quorum-sensing process, possibly explaining why the biofilme formation is modified. (AU).