Comparison between E. coli K-12 MG1655 and E. coli K-12 LVM100 delta 5 TA mutant on biofilm cell development. Escherichia coli

The role of six toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems on biofilm development was investigated (MazEF, RelBEF, ChpB, YefM-YoeB, DinJ-YafQ, and TomB-Hha). Although these TA systems were reported previously to not impact bacterial fitness, we found that biofilm formation is decreased by toxins and increased by anti-toxins, in part, through YjgK. Hence, one role of TA systems is to regulate biofilm formation. Overall design: Strains: E. coli K-12 MG1655 and E. coli K-12 LVM100 delta 5 TA mutant Medium: LB Cells: biofilm cells on glass wool Time: 15 h Temperature: 37oC