Bicarbonate Evokes Reciprocal Changes in Intracellular Cyclic di-GMP and Cyclic AMP Levels in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in cystic fibrosis (CF) is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in CF patients. Cyclic di-GMP and cyclic AMP are second messengers regulating the bacterial lifestyle transition in response to environmental signals. We aimed to investigate the effects of extracellular pH and bicarbonate on intracellular c-di-GMP and cAMP levels, and on biofilm formation. P. aeruginosa was inoculated in a brain–heart infusion medium supplemented with 25 and 50 mM NaCl in ambient air (pH adjusted to 7.4 and 7.7 respectively), or with 25 and 50 mM NaHCO3 in 5% CO2 (pH 7.4 and 7.7). After 16 h incubation, c-di-GMP and cAMP were extracted and their concentrations determined. Biofilm formation was investigated using an xCelligence real-time cell analyzer and by crystal violet assay. Our results show that HCO3− exposure decreased c-di-GMP and increased cAMP levels in a dose-dependent manner. Biofilm formation was also reduced after 48 h exposure to HCO3−. The reciprocal changes in second messenger concentrations were not influenced by changes in medium pH or osmolality. These findings indicate that HCO3− per se modulates the levels of c-di-GMP and cAMP, thereby inhibiting biofilm formation and promoting the planktonic lifestyle of the bacteria.