Pseudomonas aeruginosa forms multicellular aggregates or biofilms using both exopolysaccharides and the CdrA matrix adhesin. We showed for the first time that P. aeruginosa can use CdrA to build biofilms that do not require known matrix exopolysaccharides. It is appreciated that biofilm growth is protective against environmental assaults. However, little is known about how the interactions between individual matrix components aid in this protection. We found that interactions between CdrA and the exopolysaccharide Psl fortify the matrix by preventing CdrA proteolysis. When both components—CdrA and Psl—are part of the matrix, robust aggregates form that are tightly packed and protease resistant. These findings provide insight into how biofilms persist in protease-rich host environments.
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Reichhardt et al. (2018) studied this question.