MapA, a Second Large RTX Adhesin Conserved across the Pseudomonads, Contributes to Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Abstract

Adhesins are critical for the formation and maturation of bacterial biofilms. We identify a second adhesin in P. fluorescens , called MapA, which appears to play a role in biofilm maturation and whose regulation is distinct from the previously reported LapA adhesin, which is critical for biofilm initiation. Analysis of bacterial adhesins shows that LapA-like and MapA-like adhesins are found broadly in pseudomonads and related organisms, indicating that the utilization of different suites of adhesins may be broadly important in the Gammaproteobacteria .