Role of the polyamine transporter PotABCD during biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae

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Vieira, Brenda ; Alcantara, Jessica B. ; Destro, Giulia ; Guerra, Maria E. S. ; Oliveira, Sheila ; Lima, Carolina A. ; Longato, Giovanna B. ; Hakansson, Anders P. ; Leite, Luciana C. ; Darrieux, Michelle ; Converso, Thiago R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLoS One; v. 19, n. 8, p. 16-pg., 2024-08-07.

Abstract

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium of great global importance, responsible for more than one million deaths per year. This bacterium is commonly acquired in the first years of life and colonizes the upper respiratory tract asymptomatically by forming biofilms that persist for extended times in the nasopharynx. However, under conditions that alter the bacterial environment, such as viral infections, pneumococci can escape from the biofilm and invade other niches, causing local and systemic disease of varying severity. The polyamine transporter PotABCD is required for optimal survival of the organism in the host. Immunization of mice with recombinant PotD can reduce subsequent bacterial colonization. PotD has also been suggested to be involved in pneumococcal biofilm development. Therefore, in this study we aimed to elucidate the role of PotABCD and polyamines in pneumococcal biofilm formation. First, the formation of biofilms was evaluated in the presence of exogenous polyamines-the substrate transported by PotABCD-added to culture medium. Next, a potABCD-negative strain was used to determine biofilm formation in different model systems using diverse levels of complexity from abiotic surface to cell substrate to in vivo animal models and was compared with its wild-type strain. The results showed that adding more polyamines to the medium stimulated biofilm formation, suggesting a direct correlation between polyamines and biofilm formation. Also, deletion of potABCD operon impaired biofilm formation in all models tested. Interestingly, more differences between wild-type and mutant strains were observed in the more complex model, which emphasizes the significance of employing more physiological models in studying biofilm formation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/23566-6 - Evaluation of the role of polyamine transporters in biofilm formation by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae
• Grantee: Thiago Rojas Converso
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/25728-3 - Evaluation of the role of POLIAMINAS PotD transporter in the formation of biofilm in vitro by Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Grantee: Brenda Vieira Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/24832-6 - Development of vaccines based on recombinant BCG: Tuberculosis, Pertussis, Pneumococcus and Schistosoma
• Grantee: Luciana Cezar de Cerqueira Leite
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants