Use of lectins to in situ visualize glycoconjugates of extracellular polymeric substances in acidophilic archaeal biofilms. Issue 3 (9th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, R. Y.; Neu, T. R.; Bellenberg, S.; Kuhlicke, U.; Sand, W.; Vera, M.
• Is Part Of: Microbial biotechnology. Volume 8:Issue 3(2015:May)
• Page Start: 448
• Page End: 461
• Publication Date: 2014-12-09
• Subjects: Microbial biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology; Microbiology; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-7915

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>Biofilm formation and the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by meso‐ and thermoacidophilic metal‐oxidizing archaea on relevant substrates have been studied to a limited extent. In order to investigate glycoconjugates, a major part of the EPS, during biofilm formation/bioleaching by archaea on pyrite, a screening with 75 commercially available lectins by fluorescence lectin‐binding analysis (FLBA) has been performed. Three representative archaeal species, <italic>F</italic><italic>erroplasma acidiphilum</italic> DSM 28986, <italic>S</italic><italic>ulfolobus metallicus</italic> DSM 6482<sup>T</sup> and a novel isolate <italic>A</italic><italic>cidianus</italic> sp. DSM 29099 were used. In addition, <italic>A</italic><italic>cidianus</italic> sp. DSM 29099 biofilms on elemental sulfur were studied. The results of FLBA indicate (i) 22 lectins bound to archaeal biofilms on pyrite and 21 lectins were binding to <italic>A</italic><italic>cidianus</italic> sp. DSM 29099 biofilms on elemental sulfur; (ii) major binding patterns, e.g. tightly bound EPS and loosely bound EPS, were detected on both substrates; (iii) the three archaeal species produced various EPS glycoconjugates on pyrite surfaces. Additionally, the substratum induced different EPS glycoconjugates and biofilm structures of cells of <italic>A</italic><italic>cidianus</italic> sp. DSM 29099. Our data provide new insights into interactions between acidophilic archaea on relevant surfaces and also indicate that FLBA is a valuable tool for in situ investigations on archaeal biofilms.</p> </abstract>