Nitric Oxide Signaling in Bacterial Biofilm Dynamics

Nitric oxide (NO) functions as a versatile signal in bacterial communities, governing the transition between planktonic growth and biofilm formation, stabilising mature biofilms and triggering dispersal. Endogenous NO is generated by bacterial nitric oxide synthases or via incomplete denitrification pathways, while exogenous NO may derive from host immune responses. Specialized sensors such as H-NOX domains or transcriptional regulators detect NO and transduce signals that modulate intracellular levels of the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP. Low nanomolar concentrations of NO often promote biofilm dispersal by activating phosphodiesterases that degrade cyclic-di-GMP, whereas higher levels can induce protective responses including enhanced matrix production or redox defences mediated by flavohaemoglobins. This regulatory versatility underlies biofilm resilience against antibiotics and environmental stress, with implications for chronic infections, industrial fouling and bioremediation. Emerging strategies exploit controlled NO release or inhibition of NO metabolism to destabilise biofilms or potentiate antimicrobial therapies.

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Nitric Oxide Signaling in Bacterial Biofilm Dynamics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in nitric oxide signaling in bacterial biofilm dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Biofilm: A surface-associated community of microbial cells encased in an extracellular matrix that provides structural support and protection.

Nitric oxide (NO): A small, diatomic radical involved in signalling and defence processes, capable of diffusing across membranes and modulating cellular pathways.

Quorum sensing: A cell–cell communication mechanism in bacteria that relies on the production and detection of small signalling molecules to coordinate group behaviours based on population density.

H-NOX sensor: A haem–nitric oxide/oxygen binding domain found in bacteria that detects NO and initiates downstream signalling cascades.

Nitric oxide synthase (bNOS/NOS): An enzyme that catalyses the production of NO from L-arginine, contributing to endogenous NO levels within bacterial cells.

References

1. A Nitric Oxide-Responsive Quorum Sensing Circuit in Vibrio harveyi Regulates Flagella Production and Biofilm Formation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2013).
2. Contribution of the nos-pdt Operon to Virulence Phenotypes in Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. PLOS ONE (2014).
3. Flavohaemoglobin: the pre-eminent nitric oxide–detoxifying machine of microorganisms. F1000Research (2020).
4. A Network Biology Approach to Denitrification in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PLOS ONE (2015).
5. Nitric Oxide from IFNγ-Primed Macrophages Modulates the Antimicrobial Activity of β-Lactams against the Intracellular Pathogens Burkholderia pseudomallei and Nontyphoidal Salmonella. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (2014).