CdiA promotes receptor‐independent intercellular adhesion. Issue 1 (30th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruhe, Zachary C.; Townsley, Loni; Wallace, Adam B.; King, Andrew; Van der Woude, Marjan W.; Low, David A.; Yildiz, Fitnat H.; Hayes, Christopher S.
• Is Part Of: Molecular microbiology. Volume 98:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 192
• Publication Date: 2015-07-30
• Subjects: Molecular microbiology -- Periodicals; 572.829
• DOI: 10.1111/mmi.13114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-382X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Summary</title> <p>CdiB/CdiA proteins mediate inter‐bacterial competition in a process termed contact‐dependent growth inhibition (CDI). Filamentous CdiA exoproteins extend from CDI<sup>+</sup> cells and bind specific receptors to deliver toxins into susceptible target bacteria. CDI has also been implicated in auto‐aggregation and biofilm formation in several species, but the contribution of CdiA–receptor interactions to these multi‐cellular behaviors has not been examined. Using <italic>E</italic><italic>scherichia coli</italic> isolate EC93 as a model, we show that <italic>cdiA</italic> and <italic>bamA</italic> receptor mutants are defective in biofilm formation, suggesting a prominent role for CdiA–BamA mediated cell–cell adhesion. However, CdiA also promotes auto‐aggregation in a BamA‐independent manner, indicating that the exoprotein possesses an additional adhesin activity. Cells must express CdiA in order to participate in BamA‐independent aggregates, suggesting that adhesion could be mediated by homotypic CdiA–CdiA interactions. The BamA‐dependent and BamA‐independent interaction domains map to distinct regions within the CdiA filament. Thus, CdiA orchestrates a collective behavior that is independent of its growth‐inhibition activity. This adhesion should enable 'greenbeard' discrimination, in which genetically unrelated individuals cooperate with one another based on a single shared trait. This kind‐selective social behavior could provide immediate fitness benefits to bacteria that acquire the systems through horizontal gene transfer.</p> </abstract>