The role of galU and galE of Haemophilus parasuis SC096 in serum resistance and biofilm formation

In our previous study, an ompP2 mutant of a Haemophilus parasuis SC096 strain showed sensitivity to serum bactericidal activity. In this study, we inactivated two gal genes, galU and galE, and these mutants were found to be serum sensitive to porcine sera. Furthermore, the galE mutant exhibited greater sensitivity than the galU mutant in serum sensitivity assays. Biofilm formation ability was also investigated. The galU mutant is unable to form biofilms, while more biofilm mass was produced by the galE mutant compared with SC096. Lack of expression of GalU protein by the galU mutant increased its tendency to autoagglutinate. The results indicated that the galU plays a role in autoagglutination and biofilm formation, while galE may affect the biofilm production indirectly. Both genes are significant for serum resistance in the H. parasuis SC096 strain.