Extracellular DNA of slow growers of mycobacteria and its contribution to biofilm formation and drug tolerance

Abstract DNA is basically an intracellular molecule that stores genetic information and carries instructions for growth reproduction in all cellular organisms. However, some bacteria, has additional roles outside the cells as extracellular (eDNA), which essential component of biofilm formation hence antibiotic tolerance. Mycobacteria include life-threating human pathogens, most are slow growers. little known about nature pathogenic mycobacteria’s eDNA. Here we found eDNA present slow-growing mycobacterial such Mycobacterium tuberculosis , M. intracellulare avium at exponential phase. In contrast, tested rapid-growing mycobacteria. The physiological impact disrupted on mycobacteria reduced pellicle formation, floating biofilm, enhanced susceptibility to isoniazid amikacin. Isolation sequencing revealed it identical genomic . accumulation phage suggests released differs among species. Our data show important functions necessary drug tolerance