Effect of extracellular DNA destruction by DNase I on characteristics of forming biofilms

DNA and cell biology (2010)

 

Publication Type Journal Article
Authors George Tetz
Victor Tetz
Abstract Biofilm formation plays a crucial role in the development of different infections.
This study was designed to examine the effects of extracellular DNA destruction
by DNase I on characteristics of forming bacterial biofilms. We have found that
extracellular matrix of biofilms formed in the presence of DNase I contains
extracellular DNA fragments of about 30 kb. These data support the idea that cell-
free DNA is constantly released to the extracellular matrix of bacterial biofilms.
Our results indicate that extracellular DNA plays an important role in the
properties of forming biofilms. Biofilms formed in the presence of DNase I
(5.0 μg/mL) displayed reduced biofilm biomass, total bacterial biomass, decreased
viability of bacteria, and decreased tolerance to antibiotics. The fact that
destruction of extracellular DNA in forming biofilms by DNase I leads to the
formation of an altered microbial community with decreased tolerance to
environmental factors suggests the possibility to change the characteristics of
forming biofilms by modifying cell-free DNA.
Year of Publication 2010
Journal DNA and Cell Biology
DOI 10.1089=dna.2009.1011