Cell-Cell Interactions, Extracellular Matrix Formation in Biofilms and Marine Fouling
Abstract
In the short-term, bacteria isolated from the same marine biofilms as diatoms caused the diatoms to form cellular aggregates, to lose their motility and their ability to adhere to surfaces. Longer incubation times lead to diatom lysis. A result of these actions was the reduction in structural stability of the mixed species biofilm to hydraulic stress. The active compound(s) from the bacteria was found to he secreted into the bacterial growth medium (MW> 10K Daltons) There is sufficient evidence to regard its mode of action as being lectin-like. Experiments with plant-derived fluorescently-conjugated lectins showed that the extracellular polymers of several diatoms stained specifically indicating the presence of galactose, glucose and mannose moieties, but not those of fucose. Our results are significant in terms of the use of bioassays to test the efficacy of candidate antifouling surfaces and studies of littoral sediment stabililization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA423804
Entities
People
- Barbara Wigglesworth-cooksey
- Keith E. Cooksey
Organizations
- Montana State University