Mycobacterium Von Willebrand factor protein MSMEG_3641 is involved in biofilm formation and intracellular survival.

Aim:Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitrobiofilm is associated with the virulence and persistence capability. Our aim is to delineate factors involved in biofilms development.Materials & methods:We performed transposon mutants screen and found that mutation of MSMEG_3641, a homolog ofM. tuberculosisRv1836c, can changeM. smegmatiscolony morphology and biofilm.Results:MSMEG_3641 contains a vWA domain that is highly conserved amongMycobacteria. The phenotypes of MSMEG_3641 mutants include disrupted biofilm, weakened migration ability and changed colony morphology. All phenotypes might be contributed to the enhanced cell wall permeability and declined cell aggregation ability.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the mycobacteria Von Willebrand factor domain function, especially in colony morphology and biofilm development.