FIGURE 1.

PNAG production in 10-day-old pellicles of B. subtilis. Pellicles/biofilms formed at the air-liquid interface of MMG medium over 10 days at room temperature were analyzed via immunofluorescence for the presence of PNAG within these structures. Cells were identified using Syto 83 DNA stain and PNAG by reactivity with mAb F598 directly conjugated to Alexa Fluor 488. Loss or immunologic reactivity following digestion with dispersin B or exposure to 0.04 m periodate are both treatments that degrade PNAG due to their enzymatic and chemical specificity to attack the β-1–6-linked N-acetylglucosamine polymer. Bars, 10 μm.