INVESTIGADORES
GIORDANO Walter Fabian
artículos
Título:
An integrated view of biofilm formation in Rhizobia
Autor/es:
RINAUDI, L. AND GIORDANO, W.
Revista:
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
Editorial:
WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Referencias:
Año: 2010 vol. 304 p. 1 - 11
ISSN:
0378-1097
Resumen:
Biofilms are bacterial communities enclosed within an extracellular matrix of
polysaccharides produced by the bacteria, which adhere to a living or an inert
macrosurface. In nature, biofilms constitute a protected growth modality allowing
bacteria to survive in hostile environments. Studies of environmental isolates have
revealed a highly ordered, three-dimensional organization of the extracellular
matrix, which has important implications for biofilm physiology. The zone of soil
immediately surrounding a plant root where complex biological and ecological
processes occur, termed rhizosphere, forms an environment that fulfills the
requirements for biofilm formation, including sufficient moisture and supply of
nutrients, which are provided by the plant. Biofilm formation on plants appears to
be associated with symbiotic and pathogenic responses, but it is unclear how plants
regulate the association. Biofilms function as structures resistant against stress
factors such as desiccation, UV radiation, predation, and antibiosis, which help
create protective niches for rhizobia. However, the role of biofilms in rhizobiallegume
symbiosis remains to be clarified. Here, the mechanisms involved in bacterial
biofilm formation and attachment on plant roots, and the relation of these
mechanisms to rhizobial function and survival are reviewed.