E. coli produce extracellular fibers termed curli that mediate bacterial adhesion and contribute to the formation of bacterial biofilm communities. The discovery of curli as amyloid in 2002 served as the first identification of a functional bacterial amyloid fiber. Curli are now among a growing list of identified functional amyloids that emphasize nature’s ability to harness the amyloid folding pathway to assemble amyloid fibers for function. Furthermore, uropathogenic Escherichia coli produce remarkable biofilm architectures through the co-production of curli and a cellulosic material - phosphoethanolamine cellulose. Phosphoethanolamine cellulose is the first example of a chemically modified cellulose produced in nature and enhances the association of curli at the bacterial cell surface. I will discuss our efforts to characterize curli and to define curli contributions to biofilm formation using a highly interdisciplinary approach, integrating new biochemical protocols, fluorescence and electron microscopy, and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. I will also report on our discoveries using small molecules as inhibitors of curli. Some molecules inhibit biofilm formation, while others have revealed surprising phenotypes and we are using these in a chemical genetics spirit to fully explore the form and function of curli and curli-associated biofilms.

Form and function of curli bacterial amyloid fibers

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.