Wibrio cholerae OI EI Tor: Identification of a gene cluster required for the rugose colony type, exopolysaccharide production, chlorine resistance, and biofilm formation

摘要

The rugose colony variant of Vibrio cholerae OI, biotype EI Tor, is shown to producc an exopolysaccharide, EPS~etr, that confers chlorine resistance and biofilm-forming capacity. EPS~zrr production requires a chromosomal locus, vps, that contains sequences homologous to carbohydrate biosynthesis genes of other bacterial species. Mutations within this locus yield chlorine-sensitive, smooth colony variants that are biofilm deficient. The biofilm-forming properties of EPS-ztr may enable the survival of V. cholerae OI within environmental aquatic habitats between outbrcaks of human disease.