Extracellular Electron Transfer Powers Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm Metabolism

• Main Authors: Keogh, Damien, Lam, Ling Ning, Pavagadhi, Shruti, Umashankar, Shivshankar, Doyle, Lucinda Elizabeth, Matysik, Artur Stanislaw, Marsili, Enrico, Kline, Kimberly A., Song, Yiyang, Ng, Sean Pin, Boothroyd, Chris B., Dunny, Gary M., Low, Pui Man, Dale, Jennifer L., Williams, Rohan B. H., Swarup, Sanjay
• Other Authors: Hancock, Lynn E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: Enterococcus Faecalis; Biofilm
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/89155; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/44793
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Enterococci are important human commensals and significant opportunistic pathogens. Biofilm-related enterococcal infections, such as endocarditis, urinary tract infections, wound and surgical site infections, and medical device-associated infections, often become chronic upon the formation of biofilm. The biofilm matrix establishes properties that distinguish this state from free-living bacterial cells and increase tolerance to antimicrobial interventions. The metabolic versatility of the enterococci is reflected in the diversity and complexity of environments and communities in which they thrive. Understanding metabolic factors governing colonization and persistence in different host niches can reveal factors influencing the transition to biofilm pathogenicity. Here, we report a form of iron-dependent metabolism for Enterococcus faecalis where, in the absence of heme, extracellular electron transfer (EET) and increased ATP production augment biofilm growth. We observe alterations in biofilm matrix depth and composition during iron-augmented biofilm growth. We show that the ldh gene encoding L-lactate dehydrogenase is required for iron-augmented energy production and biofilm formation and promotes EET.