Biofilm production: A strategic mechanism for survival of microbes under stress conditions

Abstract

Formation of biofilm is one of the major protective mechanisms of survival of microbes under stressed conditions. It is regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) and phenazine (phz) gene. The phenolic and iron chelators compounds negatively impacts the biofilm formation. They exert anti-QS activity and disrupt biofilm forming genes. Mutations in oprD gene (an imipenem resistance factor), Psl, alginate, and Pel genes make bacteria lose their ability to form biofilms. Similarly, C-di-GMP is the positive regulator of biofilm formation. It plays an equally positive role in transferring reversible to irreversible attachment during biofilm formation. Proteins such as GGDEF and EAL can control the production/non-production by regulating several systems. The potential of biofilm formation enables bacteria to show remarkable resistance against a wide range of antibiotics. Therefore, many studies are currently carried out to remove such resistant bacteria worldwide; hence, this research evaluates all molecular mechanisms regulating biofilm formation.