Identification of Tn10 insertions in the rfaG, rfaP, and galU genes involved in lipopolysaccharide core biosynthesis that affect Escherichia coli adhesion

Escherichia coli was used as a model to study initial adhesion and early biofilm development to abiotic surface. Tn10 insertion mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 W3110 were selected for altered abilities to adhere to a polystyrene surface. Seven insertion mutants that showed a decrease in adhesion harbored insertions in genes involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core biosynthesis. Two insertions were located in the rfaG gene, two in the rfaP gene, and three in the galU gene. These adhesion mutants were found to exhibit a deep-rough phenotype and to be reduced, at different levels, in type 1 fimbriae production and motility. The loss of adhesion exhibited by these mutants was associated with either the affected type 1 fimbriae production and/or the dysfunctional motility. Apart from the pleiotropic effect of the mutations affecting LPS on type 1 fimbriae and flagella biosynthesis, no evidence for an involvement of the LPS itself in adhesion to polystyrene surface could be observed.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Molecular Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Free University of Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands e-mail: pierre@bio.vu.nl Tel.: +31-204-447178; Fax: +31-204-447136, , , , , , NL

   P. Genevaux & Bauke Oudega

2. Department of Microbiology, Center for Environmental Sciences, BP 4025, 1 rue des Récollets, F-57040 Metz, France, , , , , , FR

   Pascale Bauda

3. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4, , , , , , CA

   Michael S. DuBow

Received: 1 December 1998 / Accepted: 3 April 1999

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