Analysis of B. subtilis biofilm formation

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24580113
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Nara Institute of Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Kazuo 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, バイオサイエンス研究科, 助教 (70324978)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: Bacillus subtilis / biofilm

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we show that BslA was an amphiphilic protein that formed a repellent, protective layer on the surface of biofilms. We also show that B. subtilis responds to methyl salicylate, which is a plant signal that induces defense response in plants in response to infection of plant pathogens. In the presence of methyl salicylate, B. subtilis produced poly-gamma-glutamic acid and antibiotics. Poly-gamma-glutamic acid formed capsules, which protected cells against antimicrobials. These findings reveal the resistance mechanism of B. subtilis biofilms and plant-B. subtilis interaction.

Free Research Field

微生物学