Involvement of Chromosomally Encoded Homologs of the RRNPP Protein Family in Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm Formation and Urinary Tract Infection Pathogenesis

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis causes health care-associated infections and displays resistance to a variety of broad-spectrum antibiotics by acquisition of resistance traits as well as the ability to form biofilms. Even though a growing number of factors related to biofilm formation have been identified, mechanisms that contribute to biofilm formation are still largely unknown. Members of the RRNPP protein family regulate a diverse set of biological reactions in low-G+C Gram-positive bacteria ( Firmicutes ). Here, we identify three predicted structural homologs of the RRNPP family, EF0073, EF1599, and EF1316, which affect biofilm formation and CAUTI pathogenesis.