Possible nonconductive role of Geobacter sulfurreducens pilus nanowires in biofilm formation

J Bacteriol. 2007 Mar;189(5):2125-7. doi: 10.1128/JB.01284-06. Epub 2006 Dec 8.

Abstract

Geobacter sulfurreducens required expression of electrically conductive pili to form biofilms on Fe(III) oxide surfaces, but pili were also essential for biofilm development on plain glass when fumarate was the sole electron acceptor. Furthermore, pili were needed for cell aggregation in agglutination studies. These results suggest that the pili of G. sulfurreducens also have a structural role in biofilm formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agglutination
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Electron Transport
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Geobacter / physiology*

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • ferric oxide