Question

Acharacteristic of pathogenic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginoso is the establishment of biofilms. The genetic system that is used to initiate and maintain biofilm is

Answer 1

The formation of biofilms involves the initiation with attachment of bacteria to a surface, followed by replication and then cell to cell adhesion to form microcolonies, maturation and detachment. There are three regulators of biofilms formation and dispersal in bacteria. These include quorum sensing, diguanosine5' monophosphate and small RNAs. Quorum sensing is the process of communication among cells and plays key role in the dispersal of biofilms and their maturation whereas its role is not present in initial process. The main role in initial process is due to diguanosine5' monophosphate that regulates synthesis of exoploysaccharides, adhesive pilli, adhesins and secretion of extracellular DNA. This plays the main role in intiation process and maintenance by quorum sensing and small RNAs.