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Visualization and analysis of EPS glycoconjugates of the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus metallicus

  • Environmental biotechnology
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An Erratum to this article was published on 04 August 2015

Abstract

Biofilms are surface-associated colonies of microorganisms embedded in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). As EPS mediate the contact between cells and surfaces, an understanding of their composition and production is of particular interest. In this study, the EPS components of Sulfolobus metallicus DSM 6482T forming biofilms on elemental sulfur (S0) were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). In order to visualize cell and EPS distributions, biofilm cells were stained with various dyes specific for glycoconjugates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Biofilm cells on S0 were heterogeneously distributed and characterized as individual cells, microcolonies, and large clusters up to a hundred micrometers in diameter. The glycoconjugates in biofilms were detected by fluorescence lectin-binding analysis (FLBA). Screening of 72 commercially available lectins resulted in the selection of 21 lectins useful for staining biofilms of S. metallicus T. Capsular EPS from planktonic cells were mainly composed of carbohydrates and proteins. In contrast, colloidal EPS from planktonic cells were dominated by carbohydrates. Proteins were found to be major components in EPS from biofilms on S0. Using specific probes combined with CLSM, we showed that extracellular proteins and nucleic acids were present in the EPS matrix. Finally, we showed that S. metallicus T cells were embedded in a flexible EPS matrix. This study provides new insights into archaeal biofilms and EPS composition and properties with respect to their interactions with S0.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Supratim Banerjee (Institute of Organic Chemistry, Universität Duisburg-Essen) for the help of FTIR measurements. R. Z. acknowledges China Scholarship Council (CSC) for financial support (no. 2010637124).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquatische Biotechnologie, Biofilm Centre, Universität Duisburg—Essen, Universitätsstraße 5, 45141, Essen, Germany

    Ruiyong Zhang, Yutong Zhang, Sören Bellenberg, Qian Li, Wolfgang Sand & Mario Vera

  2. Department of River Ecology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Brückstraße 3a, 39114, Magdeburg, Germany

    Thomas R. Neu & Ute Kuhlicke

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  1. Ruiyong Zhang
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  2. Thomas R. Neu
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Correspondence to Mario Vera.

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Zhang, R., Neu, T.R., Zhang, Y. et al. Visualization and analysis of EPS glycoconjugates of the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus metallicus . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 99, 7343–7356 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6775-y

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