Influence of putative exopolysaccharide genes on Pseudomonas putida KT2440 biofilm stability

Abstract

Summary We report a study of the role of putative exopolysaccharide gene clusters in the formation and stability of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 biofilm. Two novel putative exopolysaccharide gene clusters, pea and peb , were identified, and evidence is provided that they encode products that stabilize P. putida KT2440 biofilm. The gene clusters alg and bcs , which code for proteins mediating alginate and cellulose biosynthesis, were found to play minor roles in P. putida KT2440 biofilm formation and stability under the conditions tested. A P. putida KT2440 derivative devoid of any identifiable exopolysaccharide genes was found to form biofilm with a structure similar to wild‐type biofilm, but with a stability lower than that of wild‐type biofilm. Based on our data, we suggest that the formation of structured P. putida KT2440 biofilm can occur in the absence of exopolysaccharides; however, exopolysaccharides play a role as structural stabilizers.

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