Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of South Carolina
Biofilm formation is a complex developmental process regulated by multiple environmental signals. In addition to other nutrients, the transition metal iron can also regulate biofilm formation. Iron-dependent regulation of biofilm formation varies by bacterial species and the exact regulatory pathways that control iron-dependent biofilm formation are often unknown or only partially characterized. We recently examined the role of iron availability in regulating biofilm formation in E. coli[1]. Our studies indicate that biofilm formation is repressed under low iron conditions in E. coli. Furthermore, a key iron regulator, IscR, controls biofilm formation in response to changes in cellular Fe-S homeostasis1. When Fe-S cluster assembly is disrupted, IscR activates the FimE recombinase to switch off expression of Type I fimbrae in E. coli1,[2]. Iron-dependent regulation of FimE via IscR leads to decreased surface attachment and biofilm dispersal under iron-limiting conditions.