Biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis requires high levels of ferric iron. Here, Qin et al. show that iron accumulation requires production of dihydroxybenzoate (a precursor in siderophore biosynthesis), and matrix-associated iron may be acting as extracellular electron acceptor during respiratory electron transfer.
- Yuxuan Qin
- Yinghao He
- Yunrong Chai