Modification of bacterial nanocellulose properties through mutation of motility related genes in Komagataeibacter hansenii ATCC 53582

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii has received significant attention due to its unique supernetwork structure and properties. It is nevertheless necessary to modify bacterial nanocellulose to achieve materials with desired properties and thus with broader areas of application. The aim here was to influence the 3D structure of BNC by genetic modification of the cellulose producing K. hansenii strain ATCC 53582. Two genes encoding proteins with homology to the MotA and MotB proteins, which participate in motility and energy transfer, were selected for our studies. A disruption mutant of one or both genes and their respective complementation mutants were created. The phenotype analysis of the disruption mutants showed a reduction in motility, which resulted in higher compaction of nanocellulose fibers and improvement in their mechanical properties. The data strongly suggest that these genes play an important role in the formation of BNC membrane by Komagataeibacter species.