Biofilm Formation and Functional Amyloids in Bacterial Systems

Biofilms are multicellular assemblies of bacteria embedded within a self-secreted extracellular matrix that adheres to surfaces and interfaces. This matrix comprises polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids, which collectively protect cells from environmental stresses, antimicrobial agents and immune defences. Within this complex scaffold, functional amyloids – highly ordered, β-sheet-rich protein fibrils – serve as structural backbones that confer mechanical robustness, hydrophobicity and retention of signalling molecules. Unlike pathological amyloids in human disease, these bacterial amyloids are deliberately produced for communal benefit, stabilising the biofilm architecture and modulating intercellular communication. The interplay between biofilm formation and amyloidogenesis underpins diverse phenomena, from chronic infections and antimicrobial resistance to environmental biofouling and symbiotic associations. A molecular understanding of these processes offers opportunities to disrupt biofilm integrity, enhance antibiotic efficacy and harness functional amyloids in biotechnology and medicine.

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Biofilm Formation and Functional Amyloids in Bacterial Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in biofilm formation and functional amyloids in bacterial systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A structured microbial community encased in an extracellular matrix adhering to surfaces.

Functional amyloid: Deliberately produced, β-sheet-rich protein fibrils that scaffold and stabilise biofilm matrices.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS): The mixture of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids secreted by biofilm-embedded microbes.

Curli: Amyloid fibres produced by enteric bacteria that contribute to adhesion and biofilm integrity.

α-Sheet peptide: A designed polypeptide motif with alternating chirality aimed at inhibiting amyloid fibril formation.

Division of labour: The phenomenon whereby distinct subpopulations within a bacterial community specialise in matrix component production for communal benefit.

References

1. Extracellular polymeric substances, a key element in understanding biofilm phenotype. AIMS Microbiology (2018).
2. Functional Amyloid and Other Protein Fibers in the Biofilm Matrix. Journal of Molecular Biology (2018).
3. Functional bacterial amyloid increases Pseudomonas biofilm hydrophobicity and stiffness. Frontiers in Microbiology (2015).
4. Functional Amyloids Keep Quorum-sensing Molecules in Check*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2015).
5. Designed De Novo α-Sheet Peptides Destabilize Bacterial Biofilms and Increase the Susceptibility of E. coli and S. aureus to Antibiotics. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
6. Cell specialization in cyanobacterial biofilm development revealed by expression of a cell-surface and extracellular matrix protein. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes (2023).
7. Natural phenolic compounds as biofilm inhibitors of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli – the role of similar biological processes despite structural diversity. Frontiers in Microbiology (2023).