Proteomic and functional analyses reveal a unique lifestyle for Acinetobacter baumannii biofilms and a key role for histidine metabolism

J Proteome Res. 2011 Aug 5;10(8):3399-417. doi: 10.1021/pr101299j. Epub 2011 Jun 17.

Abstract

Biofilm formation is one of the main causes for the persistence of Acinetobacter baumannii, a pathogen associated with severe infections and outbreaks in hospitals. Here, we performed comparative proteomic analyses (2D-DIGE and MALDI-TOF/TOF and iTRAQ/SCX-LC-MS/MS) of cells at three different conditions: exponential, late stationary phase, and biofilms. These results were compared with alterations in the proteome resulting from exposure to a biofilm inhibitory compound (salicylate). Using this multiple-approach strategy, proteomic patterns showed a unique lifestyle for A. baumannii biofilms and novel associated proteins. Several cell surface proteins (such as CarO, OmpA, OprD-like, DcaP-like, PstS, LysM, and Omp33), as well as those involved in histidine metabolism (like Urocanase), were found to be implicated in biofilm formation, this being confirmed by gene disruption. Although l-His uptake triggered biofilms efficiently in wild-type A. baumannii, no effect was observed in Urocanase and OmpA mutants, while a slight increase was observed in a CarO deficient strain. We conclude that Urocanase plays a crucial role in histidine metabolism leading to biofilm formation and that OmpA and CarO can act as channels for L-His uptake. Finally, we propose a model in which novel proteins are suggested for the first time as targets for preventing the formation of A. baumannii biofilms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii / genetics
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / metabolism*
  • Acinetobacter baumannii / physiology
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Biofilms*
  • Cation Exchange Resins
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Histidine / metabolism*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Proteome*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cation Exchange Resins
  • Proteome
  • Histidine