Spatial and temporal deposition of adhesive extracellular polysaccharide capsule and fimbriae by Hyphomonas strain MHS-3

Abstract

Hyphomonas strain MHS-3, a member of a genus of primary colonizers of surfaces immersed in marine water, synthesizes two structures that mediate adhesion to solid substrata, namely, capsular exopolysaccharide and fimbriae. Specific stains, gold-labelled lectins, and monoclonal antibodies, along with transmission electron microscopy of synchronized populations, revealed that both structures are polarly and temporally expressed. The timed synthesis and placement of the fimbriae and capsule correlated with the timing and locus of MHS-3 adhesion.