Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Inhibition of biofilm formation by DNase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus: Transcriptome Analysis

DNase was reported to inhibit biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. However, the underlying molecular mechanism were not well understood. The aim of this study is to investigate DNase inhibition of biofilm formation mechanism on transcriptional level. We used an RNA-sequencing transcriptomic approach to investigate the underlying the inhibition of biofilm formation mechanism of DNase. A total of 1171 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of P. aeruginosa and 1016 DEGs enriched in a variety of biological processes and pathways were identified. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed, DNase may exert its inhibition of biofilm formation function by downregulating gene expression of flagellar assembly and type VI secretion system of P. aeruginosa, and downregulating gene expression of capsular polysaccharide and amino acids metabolism of S. aureus. The transcriptional data was validated by RT-qPCR, and the results showed that the expression profiles of 18 major genes were consistent with transcriptome analysis. The results of our study offer insights into the mechanisms of DNase treatment inhibiting biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.