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Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing - A factor in biofilm development, and an antipathogenic drug target

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen and can cause a wide range of persistent human infections, which are to a large extent due to its ability to form biofilms. We have previously provided evidence that extracellular DNA is an important constituent of the extracellular matrix in P. aeruginosa biofilms, and is released via a process that requires the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS) system. In the present study, we have constructed a P. aeruginosa transposon insertion mutant library and performed a screen for mutants defective in DNA-release. tatA and tatB mutants, defective in the twin-arginine translocation pathway, were among the mutants that displayed a reduced level of DNA release. Characterization of P. aeruginosa tatA showed that the defect in the tatA gene attenuated PQS secretion, but did not affect the level of PQS synthesis. In addition to PQS-mediated DNA-release, the P. aeruginosa tatA mutant was also deficient in virulence factor production and biofilm development.