Central metabolism is a key player in E. coli biofilm stimulation by sub-MIC antibiotics

Abstract Exposure of Escherichia coli to sub-inhibitory antibiotics stimulates biofilm formation through poorly characterized mechanisms. Using a high-throughput Congo Red binding assay to report on biofilm matrix production, we screened ∼4000 E. coli K12 deletion mutants for deficiencies in this biofilm stimulation response. Mutants lacking acnA, nuoE , or lpdA failed to respond to sub-MIC novobiocin, implicating central metabolism and …