Reichhardt Courtney, Parsek Matthew R
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
Front Microbiol. 2019 Apr 2;10:677. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00677. eCollection 2019.
Most microbes can produce surface-associated or suspended aggregates called biofilms, which are encased within a biopolymer-rich matrix. The biofilm matrix provides structural integrity to the aggregates and shields the resident cells against environmental stressors, including antibiotic treatment. Microscopy permits examination of biofilm structure in relation to the spatial localization of important biofilm matrix components. This review highlights microscopic approaches to investigate bacterial biofilm assembly, matrix composition, and localization using as a model organism. Initial microscopic investigations provided information about the role key matrix components play in elaborating biofilm aggregate structures. Additionally, staining of matrix components using specific labels revealed distinct positioning of matrix components within the aggregates relative to the resident cells. In some cases, it was found that individual matrix components co-localize within aggregates. The methodologies for studying the biofilm matrix are continuing to develop as our studies reveal novel aspects of its composition and function. We additionally describe some outstanding questions and how microscopy might be used to identify the functional aspects of biofilm matrix components.
大多数微生物能够产生称为生物膜的表面相关或悬浮聚集体，这些聚集体被包裹在富含生物聚合物的基质中。生物膜基质为聚集体提供结构完整性，并保护其中的细胞免受包括抗生素治疗在内的环境应激源的影响。显微镜检查可以研究生物膜结构与重要生物膜基质成分的空间定位之间的关系。本综述重点介绍了以[具体模型生物]为模型，研究细菌生物膜组装、基质组成和定位的微观方法。最初的微观研究提供了关于关键基质成分在构建生物膜聚集体结构中所起作用的信息。此外，使用特定标记对基质成分进行染色揭示了基质成分在聚集体中相对于驻留细胞的不同定位。在某些情况下，发现单个基质成分在聚集体中共定位。随着我们的研究揭示生物膜基质组成和功能的新方面，研究生物膜基质的方法也在不断发展。我们还描述了一些突出的问题以及显微镜检查如何用于识别生物膜基质成分的功能方面。
