Role of (p)ppGpp in Biofilm Formation by Enterococcus faecalis

Enterococcus faecalis strain OG1RF and its (p)ppGpp-deficient Delta relA, Delta relQ, and Delta relA Delta relQ mutants were grown in biofilms and evaluated for growth profiles, biofilm morphology, cell viability, and proteolytic activity. E. faecalis lacking (p)ppGpp had a diminished capacity to sustain biofilm formation over an extended period of time and expressed abundant proteolytic activity.