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Review
. 2021 Jun;118(6):2129-2141.
doi: 10.1002/bit.27760. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

The role of extracellular DNA in the formation, architecture, stability, and treatment of bacterial biofilms

Hannah Panlilio  1 , Charles V Rice  1
Affiliations
Review

The role of extracellular DNA in the formation, architecture, stability, and treatment of bacterial biofilms

Hannah Panlilio et al. Biotechnol Bioeng. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Advances in biotechnology to treat and cure human disease have markedly improved human health and the development of modern societies. However, substantial challenges remain to overcome innate biological factors that thwart the activity and efficacy of pharmaceutical therapeutics. Until recently, the importance of extracellular DNA (eDNA) in biofilms was overlooked. New data reveal its extensive role in biofilm formation, adhesion, and structural integrity. Different approaches to target eDNA as anti-biofilm therapies have been proposed, but eDNA and the corresponding biofilm barriers are still difficult to disrupt. Therefore, more creative approaches to eradicate biofilms are needed. The production of eDNA often originates with the genetic material of bacterial cells through cell lysis. However, genomic DNA and eDNA are not necessarily structurally or compositionally identical. Variations are noteworthy because they dictate important interactions within the biofilm. Interactions between eDNA and biofilm components may as well be exploited as alternative anti-biofilm strategies. In this review, we discuss recent developments in eDNA research, emphasizing potential ways to disrupt biofilms. This review also highlights proteins, exopolysaccharides, and other molecules interacting with eDNA that can serve as anti-biofilm therapeutic targets. Overall, the array of diverse interactions with eDNA is important in biofilm structure, architecture, and stability.

Keywords: anti-biofilm therapies; biofilms; eDNA; eDNA therapy; eDNA-interactions.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Illustration of a biofilm secreted by bacterial cells (green) showing proteins, exopolysaccharides, RNA, secondary metabolites, siderophores, and eDNA in the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy images of Escherichia coli biofilms show the high density of cells imbedded in EPS and the abundance of bacterial cell layers within the biofilm. eDNA, extracellular DNA; EPS, extracellular polymeric substance
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Illustration of eDNA in biofilms of bacterial cells (green) and how it is secreted into the biofilm matrix. Exopolysaccharides and other biofilm components not shown for simplicity. eDNA, extracellular DNA
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Life cycle of biofilms depicting functions of eDNA in the attachment, cell-cell adhesion, biofilm proliferation, detachment/dispersion, antibiotic resistance, and HGT. eDNA, extracellular DNA; HGT, horizontal gene transfer
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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