Connection between Hexuronate Metabolism and the Ability of Escherichia coli to Adhesion and Biofilm Formation

The formation of bacterial biofilms is an important factor of the chronic infection development, which requires the search for effective ways to prevent it. Here, it was found that hexuronates did not affect the biofilm formation by the probiotic strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 and its adhesive properties but reduced the efficiency of biofilm formation by the E. coli K-12 MG1655 strain, enhancing its adhesion to human intestinal carcinoma cells. Regulators of hexuronate metabolism, UxuR and YjjM, were shown to be involved, along with cAMP-CRP, in the control of motility, adhesion and biofilm formation of E. coli K-12 MG1655. In addition, untranslated RNAs encoded in the uxuR gene play an important role inhibiting the main sigma factor of motility.