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Meepagala KM, Anderson CM, Techen N, Duke SO. Pantoea ananatis, a plant growth stimulating bacterium, and its metabolites isolated from Hydrocotyle umbellata (dollarweed). Plant Signal Behav 2024; 19:2331894. [PMID: 38516998 PMCID: PMC10962587 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2024.2331894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
A bacterium growing on infected leaves of Hydrocotyle umbellata, commonly known as dollarweed, was isolated and identified as Pantoea ananatis. An ethyl acetate extract of tryptic soy broth (TSB) liquid culture filtrate of the bacterium was subjected to silica gel chromatography to isolate bioactive molecules. Indole was isolated as the major compound that gave a distinct, foul odor to the extract, together with phenethyl alcohol, phenol, tryptophol, N-acyl-homoserine lactone, 3-(methylthio)-1-propanol, cyclo(L-pro-L-tyr), and cyclo(dehydroAla-L-Leu). This is the first report of the isolation of cyclo(dehydroAla-L-Leu) from a Pantoea species. Even though tryptophol is an intermediate in the indoleacetic acid (IAA) pathway, we were unable to detect or isolate IAA. We investigated the effect of P. ananatis inoculum on the growth of plants. Treatment of Lemna paucicostata Hegelm plants with 4 × 109 colony forming units of P. ananatis stimulated their growth by ca. five-fold after 13 days. After 13 days of treatment, some control plants were browning, but treated plants were greener and no plants were browning. The growth of both Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Sorghum bicolor (sorghum) plants was increased by ca. 20 to 40%, depending on the growth parameter and species, when the rhizosphere was treated with the bacterium after germination at the same concentration. Plant growth promotion by Pantoea ananatis could be due to the provision of the IAA precursor indole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumudini M. Meepagala
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, University, USA
| | - Caleb M. Anderson
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, University, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Natascha Techen
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, USA
| | - Stephen O. Duke
- National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, USA
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Naseef Pathoor N, Viswanathan A, Wadhwa G, Ganesh PS. Understanding the biofilm development of Acinetobacter baumannii and novel strategies to combat infection. APMIS 2024; 132:317-335. [PMID: 38444124 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, and aerobic bacillus emerged as a superbug, due to increasing the possibility of infection and accelerating rates of antimicrobial agents. It is recognized as a nosocomial pathogen due to its ability to form biofilms. These biofilms serve as a defensive barrier, increase antibiotic resistance, and make treatment more difficult. As a result, the current situation necessitates the rapid emergence of novel therapeutic approaches to ensure successful treatment outcomes. This review explores the intricate relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in A. baumannii, emphasizing the role of key virulence factors and quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms that will lead to infections and facilitate insight into developing innovative method to control A. baumannii infections. Furthermore, the review article looks into promising approaches for preventing biofilm formation on medically important surfaces and potential therapeutic methods for eliminating preformed biofilms, which can address biofilm-associated A. baumannii infections. Modern advances in emerging therapeutic options such as antimicrobial peptide (AMPs), nanoparticles (NPs), bacteriophage therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and other biofilm inhibitors can assist readers understand the current landscape and future prospects for effectively treating A. baumannii biofilm infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naji Naseef Pathoor
- Department of Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Akshaya Viswanathan
- Department of Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gulshan Wadhwa
- Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Pitchaipillai Sankar Ganesh
- Department of Microbiology, Centre for Infectious Diseases, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Kalvapalle PB, Sridhar S, Silberg JJ, Stadler LB. Long-duration environmental biosensing by recording analyte detection in DNA using recombinase memory. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0236323. [PMID: 38551351 PMCID: PMC11022584 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02363-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial biosensors that convert environmental information into real-time visual outputs are limited in their sensing abilities in complex environments, such as soil and wastewater, due to optical inaccessibility. Biosensors that could record transient exposure to analytes within a large time window for later retrieval represent a promising approach to solve the accessibility problem. Here, we test the performance of recombinase-memory biosensors that sense a sugar (arabinose) and a microbial communication molecule (3-oxo-C12-L-homoserine lactone) over 8 days (~70 generations) following analyte exposure. These biosensors sense the analyte and trigger the expression of a recombinase enzyme which flips a segment of DNA, creating a genetic memory, and initiates fluorescent protein expression. The initial designs failed over time due to unintended DNA flipping in the absence of the analyte and loss of the flipped state after exposure to the analyte. Biosensor performance was improved by decreasing recombinase expression, removing the fluorescent protein output, and using quantitative PCR to read out stored information. Application of memory biosensors in wastewater isolates achieved memory of analyte exposure in an uncharacterized Pseudomonas isolate. By returning these engineered isolates to their native environments, recombinase-memory systems are expected to enable longer duration and in situ investigation of microbial signaling, cross-feeding, community shifts, and gene transfer beyond the reach of traditional environmental biosensors.IMPORTANCEMicrobes mediate ecological processes over timescales that can far exceed the half-lives of transient metabolites and signals that drive their collective behaviors. We investigated strategies for engineering microbes to stably record their transient exposure to a chemical over many generations through DNA rearrangements. We identify genetic architectures that improve memory biosensor performance and characterize these in wastewater isolates. Memory biosensors are expected to be useful for monitoring cell-cell signals in biofilms, detecting transient exposure to chemical pollutants, and observing microbial cross-feeding through short-lived metabolites within cryptic methane, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling processes. They will also enable in situ studies of microbial responses to ephemeral environmental changes, or other ecological processes that are currently challenging to monitor non-destructively using real-time biosensors and analytical instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Swetha Sridhar
- Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology Graduate Program, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jonathan J. Silberg
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Lauren B. Stadler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
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Padaga SG, Bhatt H, Ch S, Paul M, Itoo AM, Ghosh B, Roy S, Biswas S. Glycol Chitosan-Poly(lactic acid) Conjugate Nanoparticles Encapsulating Ciprofloxacin: A Mucoadhesive, Antiquorum-Sensing, and Biofilm-Disrupting Treatment Modality for Bacterial Keratitis. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:18360-18385. [PMID: 38573741 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c18061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial keratitis (BK) causes visual morbidity/blindness if not treated effectively. Here, ciprofloxacin (CIP)-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) using glycol chitosan (GC) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) conjugate at three different ratios (CIP@GC(PLA) NPs (1:1,5,15)) were fabricated. CIP@GC(PLA) NPs (1:1) were more effective than other tested ratios, indicating the importance of optimal hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance for corneal penetration and preventing bacterial invasion. The CIP@GC(PLA) (NPs) (1:1) realized the highest association with human corneal epithelial cells, which were nonirritant to the hen's egg-chorioallantoic membrane test (HET-CAM test) and demonstrated significant antibacterial response in the in vitro minimum inhibitory, bactericidal, live-dead cells, zone of inhibition, and biofilm inhibition assays against the keratitis-inducing pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The antiquorum sensing activity of GC has been explored for the first time. The NPs disrupted the bacterial quorum sensing by inhibiting the production of virulence factors, including acyl homoserine lactones, pyocyanin, and motility, and caused significant downregulation of quorum sensing associated genes. In the in vivo studies, CIP@GC(PLA) NPs (1:1) displayed ocular retention in vivo (∼6 h) and decreased the opacity and the bacterial load effectively. Overall, the CIP@GC(PLA) NP (1:1) is a biofilm-disrupting antiquorum sensing treatment regimen with clinical translation potential in BK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sri Ganga Padaga
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Himanshu Bhatt
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Sanjay Ch
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Milan Paul
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Asif Mohd Itoo
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Balaram Ghosh
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
| | - Sanhita Roy
- Prof. Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India
| | - Swati Biswas
- Nanomedicine Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana 500078, India
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Bradley R, Simon D, Spiga L, Xiang Y, Takats Z, Williams H. Laser desorption rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (LD-REIMS) demonstrates a direct impact of hypochlorous acid stress on PQS-mediated quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSystems 2024; 9:e0116523. [PMID: 38530056 PMCID: PMC11019781 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01165-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
To establish infections in human hosts, Pseudomonas aeruginosa must overcome innate immune-generated oxidative stress, such as the hypochlorous acid (HOCl) produced by neutrophils. We set out to find specific biomarkers of oxidative stress through the development of a protocol for the metabolic profiling of P. aeruginosa cultures grown in the presence of different oxidants using a novel ionization technique for mass spectrometry, laser desorption rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (LD-REIMS). We demonstrated the ability of LD-REIMS to classify samples as untreated or treated with a specific oxidant with 100% accuracy and identified a panel of 54 metabolites with significantly altered concentrations after exposure to one or more of the oxidants. Key metabolic changes were conserved in P. aeruginosa clinical strains isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis lung infections. These data demonstrated that HOCl stress impacted the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) quorum sensing system. Ten 2-alkyl-4-quinolones (AHQs) associated with the PQS system were significantly lower in concentration in HOCl-stressed P. aeruginosa cultures, including 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4(1H)-quinolone (PQS), the most active signal molecule of the PQS system. The PQS system regulates the production of virulence factors, including pyocyanin and elastase, and their levels were markedly affected by HOCl stress. No pyocyanin was detectable and elastase concentrations were reduced by more than 75% in cultures grown with sub-lethal concentrations of HOCl, suggesting that this neutrophil-derived oxidant may disrupt the ability of P. aeruginosa to establish infections through interference with production of PQS-associated virulence factors. IMPORTANCE This work demonstrates that a high-throughput ambient ionization mass spectrometry method can be used successfully to study a bacterial stress response. Its application to the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa led to the identification of specific oxidative stress biomarkers, and demonstrated that hypochlorous acid, an oxidant specifically produced by human neutrophils during infection, affects quorum sensing and reduces production of the virulence factors pyocyanin and elastase. No pyocyanin was detectable and elastase levels were reduced by more than 75% in bacteria grown in the presence of hypochlorous acid. This approach has the potential to be widely applicable to the characterization of the stress responses of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Bradley
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Simon
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The Rosalind Franklin Institute, Didcot, United Kingdom
| | - Livia Spiga
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yuchen Xiang
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zoltan Takats
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Huw Williams
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Quispe Haro JJ, Chen F, Los R, Shi S, Sun W, Chen Y, Idema T, Wegner SV. Optogenetic Control of Bacterial Cell-Cell Adhesion Dynamics: Unraveling the Influence on Biofilm Architecture and Functionality. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024:e2310079. [PMID: 38613837 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202310079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The transition of bacteria from an individualistic to a biofilm lifestyle profoundly alters their biology. During biofilm development, the bacterial cell-cell adhesions are a major determinant of initial microcolonies, which serve as kernels for the subsequent microscopic and mesoscopic structure of the biofilm, and determine the resulting functionality. In this study, the significance of bacterial cell-cell adhesion dynamics on bacterial aggregation and biofilm maturation is elucidated. Using photoswitchable adhesins between bacteria, modifying the dynamics of bacterial cell-cell adhesions with periodic dark-light cycles is systematic. Dynamic cell-cell adhesions with liquid-like behavior improve bacterial aggregation and produce more compact microcolonies than static adhesions with solid-like behavior in both experiments and individual-based simulations. Consequently, dynamic cell-cell adhesions give rise to earlier quorum sensing activation, better intermixing of different bacterial populations, improved biofilm maturation, changes in the growth of cocultures, and higher yields in fermentation. The here presented approach of tuning bacterial cell-cell adhesion dynamics opens the door for regulating the structure and function of biofilms and cocultures with potential biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Quispe Haro
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Fei Chen
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
- Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rachel Los
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Shuqi Shi
- National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenjun Sun
- National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center for Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, China
| | - Timon Idema
- Department of Bionanoscience, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Seraphine V Wegner
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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Chen X, Li J, Liao R, Shi X, Xing Y, Xu X, Xiao H, Xiao D. Bibliometric analysis and visualization of quorum sensing research over the last two decade. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1366760. [PMID: 38646636 PMCID: PMC11026600 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1366760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Quorum sensing (QS) research stands as a pivotal and multifaceted domain within microbiology, holding profound implications across various scientific disciplines. This bibliometric analysis seeks to offer an extensive overview of QS research, covering the period from 2004 to 2023. It aims to elucidate the hotspots, trends, and the evolving dynamics within this research domain. Methods We conducted an exhaustive review of the literature, employing meticulous data curation from the Science Citation Index Extension (SCI-E) within the Web of Science (WOS) database. Subsequently, our survey delves into evolving publication trends, the constellation of influential authors and institutions, key journals shaping the discourse, global collaborative networks, and thematic hotspots that define the QS research field. Results The findings demonstrate a consistent and growing interest in QS research throughout the years, encompassing a substantial dataset of 4,849 analyzed articles. Journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology have emerged as significant contributor to the QS literature, highlighting the increasing recognition of QS's importance across various research fields. Influential research in the realm of QS often centers on microbial communication, biofilm formation, and the development of QS inhibitors. Notably, leading countries engaged in QS research include the United States, China, and India. Moreover, the analysis identifies research focal points spanning diverse domains, including pharmacological properties, genetics and metabolic pathways, as well as physiological and signal transduction mechanisms, reaffirming the multidisciplinary character of QS research. Conclusion This bibliometric exploration provides a panoramic overview of the current state of QS research. The data portrays a consistent trend of expansion and advancement within this domain, signaling numerous prospects for forthcoming research and development. Scholars and stakeholders engaged in the QS field can harness these findings to navigate the evolving terrain with precision and speed, thereby enhancing our comprehension and utilization of QS in various scientific and clinical domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinghan Chen
- Research Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Department of Dermatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruohan Liao
- Research Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiujun Shi
- Research Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Xing
- Research Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Xuewen Xu
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haitao Xiao
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongqin Xiao
- Research Institute of Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
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Xiao Y, Chen X, Lu H, Jiang T, Wang Y, Liang L, Dobretsov S, Huang Y. Regulation of quorum sensing activities by the stringent response gene rsh in sphingomonads is species-specific and culture condition dependent. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1368499. [PMID: 38638897 PMCID: PMC11024222 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1368499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Stringent response and quorum sensing (QS) are two essential mechanisms that control bacterial global metabolism for better survival. Sphingomonads are a clade of bacteria that survive successfully in diverse ecosystems. In silico survey indicated that 36 out of 79 investigated sphingomonads strains contained more than one luxI homolog, the gene responsible for the biosynthesis of QS signal acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). Investigation of the regulatory effects of the stringent response gene rsh on QS related bioactivities were carried out using rsh mutants of Sphingobium japonicum UT26 and Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, both had three luxI homologs. Results indicated that deletion of rsh upregulated the overall production of AHLs and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in both UT26 and SYK-6 in rich medium, but affected expressions of these luxI/luxR homologs in different ways. In the poor medium (1% LB), rsh mutant of SYK-6 significantly lost AHLs production in broth cultivation but not in biofilm cultivation. The regulatory effects of rsh on QS activities were growth phase dependent in UT26 and culture condition dependent in SYK-6. Our results demonstrated the negative regulatory effect of rsh on QS activities in sphingomonads, which were very different from the positive effect found in sphingomonads containing only one luxI/R circuit. This study extends the current knowledge on the intricate networks between stringent response and QS system in sphingomonads, which would help to understand their survival advantage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Xiao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hang Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yichun Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Luyi Liang
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Environment and Resources Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sergey Dobretsov
- UNESCO Chair, Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Yili Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Zhang W, He M, Kong N, Niu Y, Li A, Yan Y. Study on the inhibition activity and mechanism of Tanreqing against Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1368450. [PMID: 38638833 PMCID: PMC11024231 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1368450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Tanreqing (TRQ) against K. pneumoniae and its inhibition activity on bacterial biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo, and to explore the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of TRQ on K. pneumoniae biofilm formation. Methods An in vitro biofilm model of K. pneumoniae was established, and the impact of TRQ on biofilm formation was evaluated using crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the clearance effect of TRQ against K. pneumoniae in the biofilm was assessed using the viable plate counting method; q-RT PCR was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of TRQ on the expression of biofilm-related genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae; The activity of quorum sensing signal molecule AI-2 was detected by Vibrio harveyi bioluminescence assay; Meanwhile, a guinea pig lung infection model of Klebsiella pneumoniae was constructed, and after treated with drugs, pathological analysis of lung tissue and determination of bacterial load in lung tissue were performed. The treatment groups included TRQ group, imipenem(IPM) group, TRQ+IPM group, and sterile saline group as the control. Results The formation of K. pneumoniae biofilm was significantly inhibited by TRQ in vitro experiments. Furthermore, when combined with IPM, the clearance of K. pneumoniae in the biofilm was notably increased compared to the TRQ group and IPM group alone. q-RT PCR analysis revealed that TRQ down-regulated the expression of genes related to biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae, specifically luxS, wbbm, wzm, and lsrK, and also inhibited the activity of AI-2 molecules in the bacterium. In vivo experiments demonstrated that TRQ effectively treated guinea pig lung infections, resulting in reduced lung inflammation. Additionally, when combined with IPM, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial load in lung tissue. Conclusion TRQ as a potential therapeutic agent plays a great role in the treatment of K. pneumoniae infections, particularly in combination with conventional antibiotics. And TRQ can enhanced the clearance effect on the bacterium by inhibiting the K. pneumoniae biofilm formation, which provided experimental evidence in support of clinical treatment of TRQ against K. pneumoniae infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxia Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min He
- Clinical Research Center, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Nana Kong
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuxiao Niu
- Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Anhong Li
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzhong Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Tao M, Yang L, Zhao C, Zhao M, Zhang W, Zhu Y, Mu W. Implementation of a Quorum-Sensing System for Highly Efficient Biosynthesis of Lacto- N-neotetraose in Engineered Escherichia coli MG1655. J Agric Food Chem 2024; 72:7179-7186. [PMID: 38520358 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Lacto-N-neotetraose (LNnT), a prominent neutral human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), serves as a pivotal structural element in complex HMO biosynthesis. Given its promising health effects for infants, the biosynthesis of LNnT is garnering greater interest. Using a previously engineered strain as a chassis, a highly effective LNnT producer was constructed. First, LNnT synthesis in Escherichia coli MG1655 was achieved by introducing β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase LgtA and β1,4-galactosyltransferase CpsIaJ, coupled with the optimization of enzyme expression levels using various promoters. Subsequently, ugd underwent disruption, and the galE gene was enhanced by replacing its promoter with PJ23119 or Ptac. Then, a lux-type quorum sensing (QS) system was applied to achieve varied metabolic regulation. Additionally, systematic optimization of the QS promoters was conducted to further improve the LNnT titer in the shake flask. Finally, the extracellular titer of LNnT was 20.33 g/L, accompanied by a productivity of 0.41 g/L/h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Longhao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunhua Zhao
- Bloomature Biotechnology Corporation, Limited, Beijing 102629, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingli Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanmeng Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
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11
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Yan C, Li X, Zhang G, Bi J, Hao H, Hou H. AHL-differential quorum sensing regulation of amino acid metabolism in Hafnia alvei H4. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0068723. [PMID: 38391231 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00687-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) regulation of functional metabolites is rarely reported but a common trait of some bacteria. In this study, we found that QS promoted the extracellular accumulation of glycine and serine while inhibiting the extracellular accumulation of methionine in Hafnia alvei H4. The correlation analysis of five QS signals with the above three QS-regulated amino acids suggested that these QS signals may have functional differences in amino acid regulation. The exogenous AHL add-back studies on genes involved in glycine, serine, and methionine metabolic pathway highlighted that N-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C8-HSL) downregulated the expression of sdhC/fumA genes involved in the succinate to malate pathway, thereby reducing the metabolic flux of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle as an amino acid metabolism platform. Further in-depth research revealed that the QS system promoted the conversion of folate to tetrahydrofolate (THF) by positively regulating the expression of folA and folM, thus impairing the ability of folate to promote methionine accumulation. Moreover, folate positively regulated the expression of the QS signal synthesis gene luxI, promoting the synthesis of QS signals, which may further enhance the influence of the QS system on amino acid metabolism. These findings contribute to the understanding of amino acid metabolism regulated by QS and provide new perspectives for accurate control of metabolic regulation caused by QS.IMPORTANCEAs one of the important regulatory mechanisms of microorganisms, quorum sensing (QS) is involved in the regulation of various physiological activities. However, few studies on the regulation of amino acid metabolism by QS are available. This study demonstrated that the LuxI-type QS system of Hafnia alvei H4 was involved in the regulation of multiple amino acid metabolism, and different types of QS signals exhibited different roles in regulating amino acid metabolism. Additionally, the regulatory effects of the QS system on amino acid metabolism were investigated from two important cycles that influence the conversion of amino acids, including the TCA cycle and the folate cycle. These findings provide new ideas on the role of QS system in the regulation of amino acid metabolism in organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Congyang Yan
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
| | - Xue Li
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
| | - Gongliang Zhang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
| | - Jingran Bi
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
| | - Hongshun Hao
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
| | - Hongman Hou
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, Dalian, China
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12
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Sprenger M, Siemers M, Krautwurst S, Papenfort K. Small RNAs direct attack and defense mechanisms in a quorum sensing phage and its host. Cell Host Microbe 2024:S1931-3128(24)00090-8. [PMID: 38579715 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Many, if not all, bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) to control collective behaviors, and more recently, QS has also been discovered in bacteriophages (phages). Phages can produce communication molecules of their own, or "listen in" on the host's communication processes, to switch between lytic and lysogenic modes of infection. Here, we study the interaction of Vibrio cholerae with the lysogenic phage VP882, which is activated by the QS molecule DPO. We discover that induction of VP882 results in the binding of phage transcripts to the major RNA chaperone Hfq, which in turn outcompetes and downregulates host-encoded small RNAs (sRNAs). VP882 itself also encodes Hfq-binding sRNAs, and we demonstrate that one of these sRNAs, named VpdS, promotes phage replication by regulating host and phage mRNA levels. We further show that host-encoded sRNAs can antagonize phage replication by downregulating phage mRNA expression and thus might be part of the host's phage defense arsenal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Sprenger
- Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Microbiology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Malte Siemers
- Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Microbiology, 07745 Jena, Germany; Microverse Cluster, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | | | - Kai Papenfort
- Friedrich Schiller University, Institute of Microbiology, 07745 Jena, Germany; Microverse Cluster, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
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13
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Shariati A, Noei M, Askarinia M, Khoshbayan A, Farahani A, Chegini Z. Inhibitory effect of natural compounds on quorum sensing system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a helpful promise for managing biofilm community. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1350391. [PMID: 38628638 PMCID: PMC11019022 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1350391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm is a community of bacteria that adhere to live or non-living surfaces and are encapsulated by an extracellular polymeric substance. Unlike individual planktonic cells, biofilms possess a notable inherent resistance to sanitizers and antibiotics. Overcoming this resistance is a substantial barrier in the medical and food industries. Hence, while antibiotics are ineffective in eradicating P. aeruginosa biofilm, scientists have explored alternate strategies, including the utilization of natural compounds as a novel treatment option. To this end, curcumin, carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, catechin, terpinene-4-ol, linalool, pinene, linoleic acid, saponin, and geraniol are the major natural compounds extensively utilized for the management of the P. aeruginosa biofilm community. Noteworthy, the exact interaction of natural compounds and the biofilm of this bacterium is not elucidated yet; however, the interference with the quorum sensing system and the inhibition of autoinducer production in P. aeruginosa are the main possible mechanisms. Noteworthy, the use of different drug platforms can overcome some drawbacks of natural compounds, such as insolubility in water, limited oral bioavailability, fast metabolism, and degradation. Additionally, drug platforms can deliver different antibiofilm agents simultaneously, which enhances the antibiofilm potential of natural compounds. This article explores many facets of utilizing natural compounds to inhibit and eradicate P. aeruginosa biofilms. It also examines the techniques and protocols employed to enhance the effectiveness of these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref Shariati
- Infectious Diseases Research Center (IDRC), Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Milad Noei
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Askarinia
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amin Khoshbayan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Farahani
- Molecular and Medicine Research Center, Khomein University of Medical Sciences, Khomein, Iran
| | - Zahra Chegini
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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14
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Sompiyachoke K, Elias MH. Engineering quorum quenching acylases with improved kinetic and biochemical properties. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4954. [PMID: 38520282 PMCID: PMC10960309 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Many Gram-negative bacteria use N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals to coordinate phenotypes such as biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Quorum-quenching enzymes, such as AHL acylases, chemically degrade these molecules which prevents signal reception by bacteria and inhibits undesirable biofilm-related traits. These capabilities make acylases appealing candidates for controlling microbes, yet candidates with high activity levels and substrate specificity and that are capable of being formulated into materials are needed. In this work, we undertook engineering efforts against two AHL acylases, PvdQ and MacQ, to generate these improved properties using the Protein One-Stop Shop Server. The engineering of acylases is complicated by low-throughput enzymatic assays. Alleviating this challenge, we report a time-course kinetic assay for AHL acylases that monitors the real-time production of homoserine lactone. Using the assay, we identified variants of PvdQ that were significantly stabilized, with melting point increases of up to 13.2°C, which translated into high resistance against organic solvents and increased compatibility with material coatings. While the MacQ mutants were unexpectedly destabilized, they had considerably improved kinetic properties, with >10-fold increases against N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone and N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone. Accordingly, these changes resulted in increased quenching abilities using a biosensor model and greater inhibition of virulence factor production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. While the crystal structure of one of the MacQ variants, M1, did not reveal obvious structural determinants explaining the observed changes in kinetics, it allowed for the capture of an acyl-enzyme intermediate that confirms a previously hypothesized catalytic mechanism of AHL acylases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitty Sompiyachoke
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Mikael H. Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
- Biotechnology InstituteSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
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15
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Ashok AK, Gnanasekaran TS, Santosh Kumar HS, Srikanth K, Prakash N, Gollapalli P. High-throughput screening and molecular dynamics simulations of natural products targeting LuxS/AI-2 system as a novel antibacterial strategy for antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:2913-2928. [PMID: 37160706 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2210674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of treating any Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related gastrointestinal disease is completely eradicating infection. Falling eradication efficiency, off-target effects, and patient noncompliance with prolonged and broad spectrums have sparked clinical interest in exploring other effective, safer therapeutic choices. As natural substances are risk-free and privileged with high levels of antibacterial activity, most of these natural chemical's specific modes of action are unknown. With the aid of in silico molecular docking-based virtual screening studies and molecular dynamic simulations, the current study is intended to gather data on numerous such natural chemicals and assess their affinity for the S-ribosyl homocysteine lyase (LuxS) protein of H. pylori. The ligand with the highest binding energy with LuxS, glucoraphanin, catechin gallate and epigallocatechin gallate were rationally selected for further computational analysis. The solution stability of the three compounds' optimal docking postures with LuxS was initially assessed using long-run molecular dynamics simulations. Using molecular dynamics simulation, the epigallocatechin gallate was found to be the most stable molecule with the highest binding free energy, indicating that it might compete with the natural ligand of the inhibitors. According to ADMET analysis, his phytochemical was a promising therapeutic candidate for an antibacterial action since it had a range of physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and drug-like qualities and had no discernible adverse effects. Additional in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials are needed to confirm the drug's precise efficacy during H. pylori infection.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Karkada Ashok
- Department of Biotechnology, Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru, Karnataka, India
| | - Tamizh Selvan Gnanasekaran
- Central Research Laboratory, KS Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Koigoora Srikanth
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignans Foundation for Science, Research and Technology (Deemed to be University), Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Nayana Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jnana Sahyadri campus, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta, Karnataka, India
| | - Pavan Gollapalli
- Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India
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16
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Hu C, He G, Yang Y, Wang N, Zhang Y, Su Y, Zhao F, Wu J, Wang L, Lin Y, Shao L. Nanomaterials Regulate Bacterial Quorum Sensing: Applications, Mechanisms, and Optimization Strategies. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024; 11:e2306070. [PMID: 38350718 PMCID: PMC11022734 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Anti-virulence therapy that interferes with bacterial communication, known as "quorum sensing (QS)", is a promising strategy for circumventing bacterial resistance. Using nanomaterials to regulate bacterial QS in anti-virulence therapy has attracted much attention, which is mainly attributed to unique physicochemical properties and excellent designability of nanomaterials. However, bacterial QS is a dynamic and multistep process, and there are significant differences in the specific regulatory mechanisms and related influencing factors of nanomaterials in different steps of the QS process. An in-depth understanding of the specific regulatory mechanisms and related influencing factors of nanomaterials in each step can significantly optimize QS regulatory activity and enhance the development of novel nanomaterials with better comprehensive performance. Therefore, this review focuses on the mechanisms by which nanomaterials regulate bacterial QS in the signal supply (including signal synthesis, secretion, and accumulation) and signal transduction cascade (including signal perception and response) processes. Moreover, based on the two key influencing factors (i.e., the nanomaterial itself and the environment), optimization strategies to enhance the QS regulatory activity are comprehensively summarized. Collectively, applying nanomaterials to regulate bacterial QS is a promising strategy for anti-virulence therapy. This review provides reference and inspiration for further research on the anti-virulence application of nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Hu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Guixin He
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Yujun Yang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Ning Wang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Yuan Su
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
- Stomatology CenterShunde HospitalSouthern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde)Foshan528399China
| | - Fujian Zhao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Junrong Wu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Hainan General Hospital·Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan medical UniversityHaikou570311China
| | - Yuqing Lin
- Shenzhen Luohu People's HospitalShenzhen518000China
| | - Longquan Shao
- Stomatological Hospital, School of StomatologySouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhou510280China
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17
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Nickerson KW, Gutzmann DJ, Boone CHT, Pathirana RU, Atkin AL. Physiological adventures in Candida albicans: farnesol and ubiquinones. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0008122. [PMID: 38436263 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00081-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYFarnesol was first identified as a quorum-sensing molecule, which blocked the yeast to hyphal transition in Candida albicans, 22 years ago. However, its interactions with Candida biology are surprisingly complex. Exogenous (secreted or supplied) farnesol can also act as a virulence factor during pathogenesis and as a fungicidal agent triggering apoptosis in other competing fungi. Farnesol synthesis is turned off both during anaerobic growth and in opaque cells. Distinctly different cellular responses are observed as exogenous farnesol levels are increased from 0.1 to 100 µM. Reported changes include altered morphology, stress response, pathogenicity, antibiotic sensitivity/resistance, and even cell lysis. Throughout, there has been a dearth of mechanisms associated with these observations, in part due to the absence of accurate measurement of intracellular farnesol levels (Fi). This obstacle has recently been overcome, and the above phenomena can now be viewed in terms of changing Fi levels and the percentage of farnesol secreted. Critically, two aspects of isoprenoid metabolism present in higher organisms are absent in C. albicans and likely in other yeasts. These are pathways for farnesol salvage (converting farnesol to farnesyl pyrophosphate) and farnesylcysteine cleavage, a necessary step in the turnover of farnesylated proteins. Together, these developments suggest a unifying model, whereby high, threshold levels of Fi regulate which target proteins are farnesylated or the extent to which they are farnesylated. Thus, we suggest that the diversity of cellular responses to farnesol reflects the diversity of the proteins that are or are not farnesylated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W Nickerson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Daniel J Gutzmann
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Cory H T Boone
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Ruvini U Pathirana
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, Texas A&M International University, Laredo, Texas, USA
| | - Audrey L Atkin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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18
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Conaway A, Todorovic I, Mould DL, Hogan DA. Loss of LasR function leads to decreased repression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PhoB activity at physiological phosphate concentrations. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.27.586856. [PMID: 38585852 PMCID: PMC10996656 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.27.586856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
While Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR plays a role in quorum sensing (QS) across all phylogenetically-distinct lineages, isolates with loss-of-function mutations in lasR (LasR- strains) are commonly found in diverse settings including infections where they are associated with worse clinical outcomes. In LasR- strains, another QS transcription factor RhlR can be reactivated in low inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentrations via the two-component system PhoR-PhoB, restoring expression of some of the genes in the QS network. Here, we demonstrate a new link between LasR and PhoB in which the absence of LasR increases PhoB activity at physiological Pi concentrations and raises the Pi concentration necessary for PhoB inhibition. PhoB activity was also less repressed by Pi in mutants lacking different QS regulators (RhlR, and PqsR) and in mutants lacking genes required for the production of QS-regulated phenazines suggesting that decreased phenazine production was one reason for decreased PhoB repression by Pi in LasR-. In addition, the CbrA-CbrB two-component system, which is elevated in LasR- strains, was necessary for reduced PhoB repression by Pi and a Δcrc mutant, which lacks the CbrA-CbrB-controlled translational repressor, activated PhoB at higher Pi concentrations than the in the wild type. The ΔlasR mutant had a PhoB-dependent growth advantage in a medium with no added Pi and increased virulence-determinant gene expression in a medium with 0.7 mM Pi. Reanalysis of published RNA-seq data found evidence for PhoB activity in P. aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis sputum indicating that potential strain differences in PhoB activation may impact disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Conaway
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Igor Todorovic
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Dallas L. Mould
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
| | - Deborah A. Hogan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH USA
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Xia L, Li Y, Wang Y, Zhou H, Dandekar AA, Wang M, Xu F. Quorum-sensing regulation of phenazine production heightens Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistance to ciprofloxacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024:e0011824. [PMID: 38526048 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00118-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a type of cell-cell communication that modulates various biological activities of bacteria. Previous studies indicate that quorum sensing contributes to the evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the presence of sub-lethal concentrations of ciprofloxacin, resulting in a large increase in ciprofloxacin minimal inhibitory concentration. We discovered that quorum sensing-mediated phenazine biosynthesis was significantly enhanced in the resistant isolates, where the quinolone circuit was the predominant contributor to this phenomenon. We found that production of pyocyanin changed carbon flux and showed that the effect can be partially inhibited by the addition of pyruvate to cultures. This study illustrates the role of quorum sensing-mediated phenotypic resistance and suggests a strategy for its prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lexin Xia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yufan Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ajai A Dandekar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Meizhen Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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20
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HADJAB W, ZELLAGUI A, MOKRANI M, ÖZTÜRK M, CEYLAN Ö, GHERRAF N, BENSOUICI C. Pharmacological Potential Effects of Algerian Propolis Against Oxidative Stress, Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens Biofilm and Quorum-Sensing. Turk J Pharm Sci 2024; 21:71-80. [PMID: 38529559 PMCID: PMC10982881 DOI: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2023.64369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Objectives This study sought to examine the chemical profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anti-quorum sensing potential of two propolis ethanolic extracts (PEEs) collected from northeast Algeria. Materials and Methods To achieve the main objectives of this study, multiple in vitro tests were employed. The phenolic and flavonoid contents were analyzed, and the chemical composition of both PEE was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant properties of the propolis extracts were investigated using six complementary tests. The inhibitory effects of propolis extracts were evaluated against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods, whereas their antibiofilm and quorum-sensing disruption effects were determined by spectrophotometric microplate methods. Results The results demonstrated that phenolic and flavonoid contents were higher in propolis from the Guelma (PEEG) region (PEEG; 188.50 ± 0.33 μg GAE/mg E, 144.23 ± 1.03 μg QE/mg E), respectively. Interestingly, different components were identified, and cynarin was the major compound detected. The PEEG sample exhibited potential antioxidant effects in scavenging ABTS•+ radicals with minimal inhibitory concentration values equal to 10.46 ± 1.40 µg/mL. Furthermore, the highest antibacterial activity was recorded by PEEG against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus MDR1. Similarly, PEEG effectively inhibited the biofilm formation of S. aureus MDR1 and the degradation of biofilm was up to 60%. In addition, quorum sensing disruption revealed that both extracts have a moderate capacity for violacein inhibition by the Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 strain in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion These findings indicate that propolis can be regarded as a natural therapeutic agent for health problems associated with MDR bacteria and oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Widad HADJAB
- Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Faculty of Exact Science and Life Science and Nature, Department of Laboratory of Biomolecules and Plant Breeding, Oum el-Bouaghi, Algeria
| | - Amar ZELLAGUI
- Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Faculty of Exact Science and Life Science and Nature, Department of Laboratory of Biomolecules and Plant Breeding, Oum el-Bouaghi, Algeria
| | - Meryem MOKRANI
- Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Faculty of Exact Science and Life Science and Nature, Department of Laboratory of Biomolecules and Plant Breeding, Oum el-Bouaghi, Algeria
| | - Mehmet ÖZTÜRK
- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Ula Ali Koçman Vocational School, Department of Food Quality and Analysis Program, Muğla, Türkiye
| | - Özgür CEYLAN
- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Ula Ali Koçman Vocational School, Department of Food Quality and Analysis Program, Muğla, Türkiye
| | - Noureddine GHERRAF
- Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Department of Laboratory of Natural Resources and Management of Sensitive Environments, Oum el-Bouaghi, Algeria
| | - Chawki BENSOUICI
- Abdelhamid Mehri Constantine 2 University, Biotechnology Research Centre, Constantine, Algeria
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21
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Špacapan M, Myers MP, Braga L, Venturi V. Pseudomonas fuscovaginae quorum sensing studies: 5% dominates cell-to-cell conversations. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0417923. [PMID: 38511955 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04179-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
A common feature of N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing (QS) systems is that the AHL signal is autoinducing. Once induced, a cell will further amplify the signal via a positive feedback loop. Pseudomonas fuscovaginae UPB0736 has two fully functional AHL QS systems, called PfsI/R and PfvI/R, which are inactive in a standard laboratory setting. In this work, we induce the QS systems with exogenous AHL signals and characterize the AHL signal amplification effect and QS activation dynamics at community and single-cell level. While the cognate signal is in both cases significantly further amplified to physiologically relevant levels, we observe only a limited response in terms of AHL synthase gene promoter activity. Additionally, the PfsI/R QS system exhibits a unique dramatic phenotypic heterogeneity, where only up to 5% of all cells amplify the signal further and are, thus, considered to be QS active. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing (QS) systems for population-wide phenotypic coordination. The QS configuration in Pseudomonas fuscovaginae is dramatically different from other model examples of AHL QS signaling and, thus, represents an important exception to the norm, which usually states that QS triggers population-wide phenotypic transitions in relation to cell density. We argue that the differences in QS dynamics of P. fuscovaginae highlight its different evolutionary purpose, which is ultimately dictated by the selective pressures of its natural habitat. We hope that this example will further expand our understanding of the complex and yet unknown QS-enabled sociomicrobiology. Furthermore, we argue that exemptions to the QS norm will be found in other plant-pathogenic bacterial strains that grow in similar environments and that molecularly similar QS systems do not necessarily share a similar evolutionary purpose; therefore, generalizations about bacterial cell-to-cell signaling systems function should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihael Špacapan
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Michael P Myers
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Luca Braga
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Vittorio Venturi
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
- African Genome Center, University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), Ben Guerir, Morocco
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22
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Zhu R, Zhang J, Wang L, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Han Y, Sun J, Zhang X, Dou Y, Yao H, Yan W, Luo X, Dai J, Dai Z. Engineering functional materials through bacteria-assisted living grafting. Cell Syst 2024; 15:264-274.e9. [PMID: 38460522 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Functionalizing materials with biomacromolecules such as enzymes has broad applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. Here, we introduce a grafting method mediated by living cells to functionalize materials. We use polymeric scaffolds to trap engineered bacteria and micron-sized particles with chemical groups serving as active sites for grafting. The bacteria synthesize the desired protein for grafting and autonomously lyse to release it. The released functional moieties are locally grafted onto the active sites, generating the materials engineered by living grafting (MELGs). MELGs are resilient to perturbations because of both the bonding and the regeneration of functional domains synthesized by living cells. The programmability of the bacteria enables us to fabricate MELGs that can respond to external input, decompose a pollutant, reconstitute synthetic pathways for natural product synthesis, and purify mismatched DNA. Our work establishes a bacteria-assisted grafting strategy to functionalize materials with a broad range of biological activities in an integrated, flexible, and modular manner. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runtao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yunfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Soft Bio-interface Electronics Lab, Center of Neural Engineering, CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ying Han
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Soft Bio-interface Electronics Lab, Center of Neural Engineering, CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Ying Dou
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Huaxiong Yao
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiaozhou Luo
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Junbiao Dai
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Key Laboratory of Quantitative Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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23
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Malachy Udowo V, Unimuke TO, Louis H, Udoh II, Edet HO, Okafor PC. Enhanced sensing of bacteria biomarkers by ZnO and graphene oxide decorated PEDOT film. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-14. [PMID: 38499994 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2328740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Developing a biofilm biomarker detector and inhibitor will immensely benefit efforts geared at curbing infectious diseases and microbiologically induced corrosion of medical implants, marine vessels and buried steel pipelines. N-Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are important biomarkers gram-negative bacteria use for communication. In this work, we investigated the interactions between three AHL molecules and graphene oxide (GO) and ZnO nanomaterials embedded in conjugated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) film. The results show that PEDOT/GO/ZnO detected AHLs to a considerable extent with adsorption enthalpies of -4.02, -4.87 and -4.97 KJ/mol, respectively, for N-(2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)heptanamide (AHL1), 2-hydroxy-N-(2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)nonanamide (AHL2) and (E)-3-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-N-(2-oxotetrahydrofuran-3-yl)acrylamide (AHL3) molecules. The ZnO nanoparticles facilitated charge redistribution and transfer, thereby enhancing the conductivity and overall sensitivity of the substrate toward the AHLs. The adsorption distance and sites of interactions further tuned the charge migration and signal generation by the substrate, thus affirming the suitability of the modeled thin film as a sensor material. Excellent stability and conductivity were maintained before and after the adsorption of each AHL molecule. Moreover, the desorption time for each AHL molecule was calculated, and the result affirmed that the modeled film materials are promising for developing highly sensitive biosensors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Malachy Udowo
- Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Tomsmith O Unimuke
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Hitler Louis
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy or Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Inime Ime Udoh
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Henry O Edet
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
| | - Peter C Okafor
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
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24
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Trottier MC, de Oliveira Pereira T, Groleau MC, Hoffman LR, Dandekar AA, Déziel E. The end of the reign of a "master regulator''? A defect in function of the LasR quorum sensing regulator is a common feature of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. mBio 2024; 15:e0237623. [PMID: 38315035 PMCID: PMC10936206 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02376-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium causing infections in immunocompromised individuals, regulates several of its virulence functions using three interlinked quorum sensing (QS) systems (las, rhl, and pqs). Despite its presumed importance in regulating virulence, dysfunction of the las system regulator LasR occurs frequently in strains isolated from various environments, including clinical infections. This newfound abundance of LasR-defective strains calls into question existing hypotheses regarding their selection. Indeed, current assumptions concerning factors driving the emergence of LasR-deficient isolates and the role of LasR in the QS hierarchy must be reconsidered. Here, we propose that LasR is not the primary master regulator of QS in all P. aeruginosa genetic backgrounds, even though it remains ecologically significant. We also revisit and complement current knowledge on the ecology of LasR-dependent QS in P. aeruginosa, discuss the hypotheses explaining the putative adaptive benefits of selecting against LasR function, and consider the implications of this renewed understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mylène C. Trottier
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Thays de Oliveira Pereira
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Groleau
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Lucas R. Hoffman
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Ajai A. Dandekar
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Eric Déziel
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
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25
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Xu Q, Kang D, Meyer MD, Pennington CL, Gopal C, Schertzer JW, Kirienko NV. Cytotoxic rhamnolipid micelles drive acute virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infect Immun 2024; 92:e0040723. [PMID: 38391248 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00407-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that has developed multi- or even pan-drug resistance toward most frontline and last resort antibiotics, leading to increasing frequency of infections and deaths among hospitalized patients, especially those with compromised immune systems. Further complicating treatment, P. aeruginosa produces numerous virulence factors that contribute to host tissue damage and immune evasion, promoting bacterial colonization and pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate the importance of rhamnolipid production in host-pathogen interactions. Secreted rhamnolipids form micelles that exhibited highly acute toxicity toward murine macrophages, rupturing the plasma membrane and causing organellar membrane damage within minutes of exposure. While rhamnolipid micelles (RMs) were particularly toxic to macrophages, they also caused membrane damage in human lung epithelial cells, red blood cells, Gram-positive bacteria, and even noncellular models like giant plasma membrane vesicles. Most importantly, rhamnolipid production strongly correlated with P. aeruginosa virulence against murine macrophages in various panels of clinical isolates. Altogether, our findings suggest that rhamnolipid micelles are highly cytotoxic virulence factors that drive acute cellular damage and immune evasion during P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xu
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Donghoon Kang
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Matthew D Meyer
- Shared Equipment Authority, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Citrupa Gopal
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey W Schertzer
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York, USA
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26
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Melfi F, Carradori S, Mencarelli N, Campestre C, Granese A, Mori M. Recent developments of agents targeting Vibrio cholerae: patents and literature data. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38446009 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2327305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vibrio cholerae bacteria cause an infection characterized by acute diarrheal illness in the intestine. Cholera is sustained by people swallowing contaminated food or water. Even though symptoms can be mild, if untreated disease becomes severe and life-threatening, especially in low-income countries. AREAS COVERED After a description of the most recent literature on the pathophysiology of this infection, we searched for patents and literature articles following the PRISMA guidelines, filtering the results disclosed from 2020 to present. Moreover, some innovative molecular targets (e.g., carbonic anhydrases) and pathways to counteract this rising problem were also discussed in terms of design, structure-activity relationships and structural analyses. EXPERT OPINION This review aims to cover and analyze the most recent advances on the new druggable targets and bioactive compounds against this fastidious pathogen, overcoming the use of old antibiotics which currently suffer from high resistance rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Melfi
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Noemi Mencarelli
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Campestre
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Arianna Granese
- Department of Drug Chemistry and Technology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia Mori
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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27
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Sajeevan A, Ramamurthy T, Solomon AP. Vibrio cholerae virulence and its suppression through the quorum-sensing system. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-22. [PMID: 38441045 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2320823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Vibrio cholerae is a cholera-causing pathogen known to instigate severe contagious diarrhea that affects millions globally. Survival of vibrios depend on a combination of multicellular responses and adapt to changes that prevail in the environment. This process is achieved through a strong communication at the cellular level, the process has been recognized as quorum sensing (QS). The severity of infection is highly dependent on the QS of vibrios in the gut milieu. The quorum may exist in a low/high cell density (LCD/HCD) state to exert a positive or negative response to control the regulatory pathogenic networks. The impact of this regulation reflects on the transition of pathogenic V. cholerae from the environment to infect humans and cause outbreaks or epidemics of cholera. In this context, the review portrays various regulatory processes and associated virulent pathways, which maneuver and control LCD and HCD states for their survival in the host. Although several treatment options are existing, promotion of therapeutics by exploiting the virulence network may potentiate ineffective antibiotics to manage cholera. In addition, this approach is also useful in resource-limited settings, where the accessibility to antibiotics or conventional therapeutic options is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusree Sajeevan
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Thandavarayan Ramamurthy
- Division of Bacteriology, ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Disease, Kolkata, India
| | - Adline Princy Solomon
- Quorum Sensing Laboratory, Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID), School of Chemical and Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, India
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28
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Zhan X, Wang R, Zhang M, Li Y, Sun T, Chen J, Li J, Liu T. Trichoderma-derived emodin competes with ExpR and ExpI of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum to biocontrol bacterial soft rot. Pest Manag Sci 2024; 80:1039-1052. [PMID: 37831609 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) are an emerging control tool that inhibits the quorum sensing (QS) system of pathogenic bacteria. We aimed to screen for potential QSIs in the metabolites of Trichoderma and to explore their inhibitory mechanisms. RESULTS We screened a strain of Trichoderma asperellum LN004, which demonstrated the ability to inhibit the color development of Chromobacterium subtsugae CV026, primarily attributed to the presence of emodin as its key QSI component. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction with reverse transcription results showed that after emodin treatment of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc), plant cell wall degrading enzyme-related synthetic genes were significantly downregulated, and the exogenous enzyme synthesis gene negative regulator (rsmA) was upregulated 3.5-fold. Docking simulations indicated that emodin could be a potential ligand for ExpI and ExpR proteins because it exhibited stronger competition than the natural ligands in Pcc. In addition, western blotting showed that emodin attenuated the degradation of n-acylhomoserine lactone on the ExpR protein and protected it. Different concentrations of emodin reduced the activity of pectinase, cellulase, and protease in Pcc by 20.81%-72.21%, 8.38%-52.73%, and 3.57%-47.50%. Lesion size in Chinese cabbages, carrots and cherry tomatoes following Pcc infestation was reduced by 10.02%-68.57%, 40.17%-88.56% and 11.36%-86.17%. CONCLUSION Emodin from T. asperellum LN004 as a QSI can compete to bind both ExpI and ExpR proteins, interfering with the QS of Pcc and reducing the production of virulence factors. The first molecular mechanism reveals the ability of emodin as a QSI to competitively inhibit two QS proteins simultaneously. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhan
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Diseases and Pests (College of Plant Protection, Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Diseases and Pests (College of Plant Protection, Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, PR China
| | - Manman Zhang
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Diseases and Pests (College of Plant Protection, Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, PR China
| | - Yuejiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Diseases and Pests (College of Plant Protection, Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, PR China
| | - Tao Sun
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, PR China
- Engineering Center of Agricultural Microbial Preparation Research and Development of Hainan, Hainan University, Haikou, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Jishun Li
- Ecology Institute, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China
| | - Tong Liu
- Sanya Nanfan Research Institute of Hainan University, Sanya, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Green Prevention and Control of Tropical Diseases and Pests (College of Plant Protection, Hainan University), Ministry of Education, Haikou, PR China
- Engineering Center of Agricultural Microbial Preparation Research and Development of Hainan, Hainan University, Haikou, PR China
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29
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Lou Z, Dong J, Tao H, Tan Y, Wang H. Regulation and mechanism of organic selenium on quorum sensing, biofilm, and antioxidant effects of Lactobacillus paracasei. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e3975. [PMID: 38475877 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Different organic compounds can have varying degrees of impact on the activity of Lactobacillus paracasei. The study focused on the impact and action mechanism of different organic selenium products on the bioactivity of two strains of L. paracasei. The growth, antioxidant activity, extracellular polysaccharide secretion, quorum sensing (QS), and biofilm formation of the strains before and after the addition of organic selenium crude products and three organic selenium standard were evaluated. The results showed that the addition of crude organic selenium promoted the various activities of the strain. l-selenocysteine had the strongest regulatory effect, with maximum GIM1.80 biofilm formation when it reached a critical concentration of 0.4 μg/mL; l-selenomethionine resulted in the highest activity of the signal molecule Auto inducer-2 of GDMCC1.155, when it reached a critical concentration of 0.4 μg/mL. The results of scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the addition of organic selenium effectively improved the morphological structure of the two bacterial cells. Molecular docking revealed that the mechanism by which organic selenium regulates QS in Lactobacillus was achieved by binding two crucial receptor proteins (histidine protein kinase HKP and periplasmic binding protein LuxP) from specific sites. Furthermore, organic selenium products have a beneficial regulatory effect on the biological activity of L. paracasei. Overall, these findings provide a new alternative (organic selenium) for regulating the viability and beneficial activity of L. paracasei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaixiang Lou
- The State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiale Dong
- The State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongwei Tao
- The State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yeexuan Tan
- The State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxin Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
- School of Food Science & Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
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30
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Li K, Ma C, Xiong C, Zhou X, Mao Y, Wang Y, Liu F. Unveiling the Role of Diffusible Signal Factor-Family Quorum Sensing Signals in Regulating Behavior of Xanthomonas and Lysobacter. Phytopathology 2024; 114:512-520. [PMID: 37698468 DOI: 10.1094/phyto-07-23-0264-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Diffusible signal factor (DSF) family signals represent a unique group of quorum sensing (QS) chemicals that modulate a wide range of behaviors for bacteria to adapt to different environments. However, whether DSF-mediated QS signaling acts as a public language to regulate the behavior of biocontrol and pathogenic bacteria remains unknown. In this study, we present groundbreaking evidence demonstrating that RpfFXc1 or RpfFOH11 could be a conserved DSF-family signal synthase in Xanthomonas campestris or Lysobacter enzymogenes. Interestingly, we found that both RpfFOH11 and RpfFXc1 have the ability to synthesize DSF and BDSF signaling molecules. DSF and BDSF positively regulate the biosynthesis of an antifungal factor (heat-stable antifungal factor, HSAF) in L. enzymogenes. Finally, we show that RpfFXc1 and RpfFOH11 have similar functions in regulating HSAF production in L. enzymogenes, as well as the virulence, synthesis of virulence factors, biofilm formation, and extracellular polysaccharide production in X. campestris. These findings reveal a previously uncharacterized mechanism of DSF-mediated regulation in both biocontrol and pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihuai Li
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Institute of Vegetable Industry Technology Research, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Chaoyun Ma
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Chunlan Xiong
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xue Zhou
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yahui Mao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Quality Control of Characteristic Fruits and Vegetables/College of Life Science and Technology, Hubei Engineering University, Xiaogan 432000, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Institute of Vegetable Industry Technology Research, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Fengquan Liu
- Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Agriculture, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Institute of Plant Protection, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
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Khorramdel M, Ghadikolaii FP, Hashemy SI, Javid H, Tabrizi MH. Nanoformulated meloxicam and rifampin: inhibiting quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nanomedicine (Lond) 2024; 19:615-632. [PMID: 38348578 DOI: 10.2217/nnm-2023-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: We aimed to investigate the simultaneous effects of meloxicam and rifampin nanoformulations with solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) substrates on inhibiting the quorum-sensing system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and preventing biofilm formation by this bacterium. Methods: Antimicrobial activity of rifampin and meloxicam encapsulated with SLNs and NLCs against P. aeruginosa PAO1 was assessed by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: The SLN formulation was associated with lower doses for the MIC and minimum bactericidal concentration in comparison to NLC. Moreover, our results demonstrated that both nanoformulations were able to produce 100% inhibition of the biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Conclusion: All these findings suggest that meloxicam and rifampin encapsulated with SLNs could be the most effective formulation against P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Khorramdel
- Department of Microbiology, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Islamic Azad University, Amol, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Isaac Hashemy
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Javid
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Varastegan Institute for Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Boutoub O, El-Guendouz S, Matos I, El Ghadraoui L, Costa MC, Carlier JD, Faleiro ML, Figueiredo AC, Estevinho LM, Miguel MG. Chemical Characterization and Biological Properties Assessment of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum Moroccan Propolis. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:230. [PMID: 38534665 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13030230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the plants of the genus Euphorbia are largely exploited by therapists in Morocco, the composition and antibacterial activities of propolis from these plants are still unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, and the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco and evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis samples was determined by the microdilution method, and the anti-adherence activity was evaluated by the crystal violet assay. The examination of anti-quorum-sensing proprieties was performed using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Pollen analysis revealed that Euphorbia resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, constituting 35% in P1 and 31% in P2, with α-pinene being the major component in both cases, at 16% in P1 and 15% in P2. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in both E. resinifera (P1) and E. officinarum (P2 and P3) propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum P2 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value ranged from 50 to 450 µL/mL against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor C. violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens. In summary, the current study evidences the potential use of E. officinarum propolis (P2 and P3) to combat important features of resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oumaima Boutoub
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Fez 30050, Morocco
| | - Soukaina El-Guendouz
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Fez 30050, Morocco
| | - Isabel Matos
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Lahsen El Ghadraoui
- Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, P.O. Box 2202, Fez 30050, Morocco
| | - Maria Clara Costa
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Jorge Dias Carlier
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Maria Leonor Faleiro
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Algarve Biomedical Center-Research Institute, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Champalimaud Researh Program, Chaupalimaud Centre for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Cristina Figueiredo
- Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar (CESAM Ciências), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa (FCUL), Biotecnologia Vegetal, DBV, C2, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Letícia M Estevinho
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para a Sustentabilidade e Tecnologia em Regiões de Montanha (SusTEC), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus de Santa Apolónia, 5300-253 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Maria Graça Miguel
- Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Instituto Mediterrâneo para a Agricultura, Ambiente e Desenvolvimento (MED), Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
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Li C, Zhou H, Gou H, Fan Z, Zhang Y, Tang P, Huang J, Xu Y, Li L. Autoinducer-2 produced by oral microbial flora and alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. J Periodontal Res 2024. [PMID: 38411269 DOI: 10.1111/jre.13247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the association between autoinducer-2 (AI-2) of oral microbial flora and the alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis to determine if AI-2 may have the potential that monitor periodontitis and predict bone loss. BACKGROUND Plaque biofilm was the initiating factor of periodontitis and the essential factor of periodontal tissue destruction. The formation of biofilms depended on the complex regulation of the quorum sensing (QS) system, in which bacteria could sense changes in surrounding bacterial density by secreting the autoinducer (AI) to regulate the corresponding physiological function. Most oral bacteria also communicated with each other to form biofilms administrating the QS system, which implied that the QS system of periodontal pathogens was related to periodontitis, but the specific relationship was unknown. METHOD We collected the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples and measured the concentration of AI-2 in samples using the Vibrio harveyi BB180 bioluminescent-reporter system. To explore the interaction between AI-2 and bone metabolism, we utilized AI-2 purified from Fusobacterium nucleatum to investigate the impact of F. nucleatum AI-2 on osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, we constructed murine periodontitis models and multi-species biofilm models to study the association between AI-2 and periodontal disease progression. RESULTS The AI-2 concentration in GCF samples increased along with periodontal disease progression (p < .0001). F. nucleatum AI-2 promoted osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. In the periodontitis mice model, the CEJ-ABC distance in the F. nucleatum AI-2 treatment group was higher than that in the simple ligation group (p < .01), and the maxilla of the mice in the group exhibited significantly lower BMD and BV/TV values (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that the AI-2 concentration varied with the alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis, and it may have the potential for screening periodontitis. F. nucleatum AI-2 promoted osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and aggravated bone loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Li
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Hancheng Zhou
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiqing Gou
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zixin Fan
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yifei Zhang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengzhou Tang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Oral Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Bi J, Yao Q, Zhang G, Hou H. The Phase-Dependent Regulation of Lux-Type Genes on the Spoilage Characteristics of Hafnia alvei. Foods 2024; 13:688. [PMID: 38472800 DOI: 10.3390/foods13050688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Hafnia alvei, a specific spoilage microorganism, has a strong capacity to destroy food protein and lead to spoilage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phase-dependent regulation of lux-type genes on the spoilage characteristics of H. alvei H4. The auto-inducer synthase gene luxI and a regulatory gene luxR of the quorum sensing systems in H. alvei H4 were knocked out to construct the mutant phenotypes. On this basis, the research found that the luxI and luxR genes had a strong positive influence on not only flagella-dependent swimming ability and biofilm formation but also the production of putrescine and cadaverine. The luxR gene could downregulate putrescine production. The maximum accumulation of putrescine in wild type, ΔluxI, ΔluxR and ΔluxIR were detected at 24 h, reaching up to 695.23 mg/L, 683.02 mg/L, 776.30 mg/L and 724.12 mg/L, respectively. However, the luxI and luxR genes have a potential positive impact on the production of cadaverine. The maximum concentration of cadaverine produced by wild type, ΔluxI, ΔluxR and ΔluxIR were 252.7 mg/L, 194.5 mg/L, 175.1 mg/L and 154.2 mg/L at 72 h. Moreover, the self-organizing map analysis revealed the phase-dependent effects of two genes on spoilage properties. The luxI gene played a major role in the lag phase, while the luxR gene mainly acted in the exponential and stationary phases. Therefore, the paper provides valuable insights into the spoilage mechanisms of H. alvei H4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingran Bi
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Qiaoli Yao
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Gongliang Zhang
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
| | - Hongman Hou
- School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
- Liaoning Key Lab for Aquatic Processing Quality and Safety, No. 1, Qinggongyuan, Ganjingzi District, Dalian 116034, China
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Ren J, Wang M, Zhou W, Liu Z. Efflux pumps as potential targets for biofilm inhibition. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1315238. [PMID: 38596384 PMCID: PMC11002903 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1315238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Biofilms account for a great deal of infectious diseases and contribute significantly to antimicrobial resistance. Efflux pumps confer antimicrobial resistance to microorganisms and involve multiple processes of biofilm formation. Efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) are attracting considerable attention as a biofilm inhibition strategy. The regulatory functions of efflux pumps in biofilm formation such as mediating adherence, quorum sensing (QS) systems, and the expression of biofilm-associated genes have been increasingly identified. The versatile properties confer efflux pumps both positive and negative effects on biofilm formation. Furthermore, the expression and function of efflux pumps in biofilm formation are species-specific. Therefore, this review aims to detail the double-edged sword role of efflux pumps in biofilm formation to provide potential inhibition targets and give an overview of the effects of EPIs on biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wenjuan Zhou
- Department of Implantology, Yantai Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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Cai Y, Zhang X. The atypical organization of the luxI/R family genes in AHL-driven quorum-sensing circuits. J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0043023. [PMID: 38240569 PMCID: PMC10882985 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00430-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is an elaborate regulatory mechanism associated with virulence and bacterial adaptation to the changing environment. QS is widespread in Proteobacteria and acts primarily through N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) signals. At the core of the AHL-driven QS systems are the AHL synthase gene (luxI family) and its cognate transcriptional regulator gene (luxR family). Several QS systems display one or more genes intervening between the luxI and luxR, in which gene arrangements are notably different due to the relative position and the transcriptional orientation between the essential luxI/R and the genes of location correlation. These adjacent genes may exert a regulatory impact on the primary QS genes or contribute toward an extension of QS regulatory control. In this review, we describe the organization of AHL-driven QS genes based on previous research and specific genome databases and provide new insights into these atypical QS gene arrangements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- National Experimental Teaching Center for Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Han F, Li H, Lyu E, Zhang Q, Gai H, Xu Y, Bai X, He X, Khan AQ, Li X, Xie F, Li F, Fang X, Wei M. Soybean-mediated suppression of BjaI/BjaR 1 quorum sensing in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens impacts symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0137423. [PMID: 38251894 PMCID: PMC10880635 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01374-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs)-mediated LuxI/LuxR quorum sensing (QS) system orchestrates diverse bacterial behaviors in response to changes in population density. The role of the BjaI/BjaR1 QS system in Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110, which shares homology with LuxI/LuxR, remains elusive during symbiotic interaction with soybean. Here this genetic system in wild-type (WT) bacteria residing inside nodules exhibited significantly reduced activity compared to free-living cells, potentially attributed to soybean-mediated suppression. The deletion mutant strain ΔbjaR1 showed significantly enhanced nodulation induction and nitrogen fixation ability. Nevertheless, its ultimate symbiotic outcome (plant dry weight) in soybeans was compromised. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the transcriptome, proteome, and promoter activity revealed that the inactivation of BjaR1 systematically activated and inhibited genomic modules associated with nodulation and nitrogen metabolism. The former appeared to be linked to a significant decrease in the expression of NodD2, a key cell-density-dependent repressor of nodulation genes, while the latter conferred bacterial growth and nitrogen fixation insensitivity to environmental nitrogen. In addition, BjaR1 exerted a positive influence on the transcription of multiple genes involved in a so-called central intermediate metabolism within the nodule. In conclusion, our findings highlight the crucial role of the BjaI/BjaR1 QS circuit in positively regulating bacterial nitrogen metabolism and emphasize the significance of the soybean-mediated suppression of this genetic system for promoting efficient symbiotic nitrogen fixation by B. diazoefficiens.IMPORTANCEThe present study demonstrates, for the first time, that the BjaI/BjaR1 QS system of Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens has a significant impact on its nodulation and nitrogen fixation capability in soybean by positively regulating NodD2 expression and bacterial nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, it provides novel insights into the importance of suppressing the activity of this QS circuit by the soybean host plant in establishing an efficient mutual relationship between the two symbiotic partners. This research expands our understanding of legumes' role in modulating symbiotic nitrogen fixation through rhizobial QS-mediated metabolic functioning, thereby deepening our comprehension of symbiotic coevolution theory. In addition, these findings may hold great promise for developing quorum quenching technology in agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huiquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ermeng Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haoyu Gai
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yunfang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuemei Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xueqian He
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Abdul Qadir Khan
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolin Li
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Xie
- National Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Genetics, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengmin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiangwen Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Min Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-ecosystems, College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Zeng M, Sarker B, Rondthaler SN, Vu V, Andrews LB. Identifying LasR Quorum Sensors with Improved Signal Specificity by Mapping the Sequence-Function Landscape. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:568-589. [PMID: 38206199 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Programmable intercellular signaling using components of naturally occurring quorum sensing can allow for coordinated functions to be engineered in microbial consortia. LuxR-type transcriptional regulators are widely used for this purpose and are activated by homoserine lactone (HSL) signals. However, they often suffer from imperfect molecular discrimination of structurally similar HSLs, causing misregulation within engineered consortia containing multiple HSL signals. Here, we studied one such example, the regulator LasR from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We elucidated its sequence-function relationship for ligand specificity using targeted protein engineering and multiplexed high-throughput biosensor screening. A pooled combinatorial saturation mutagenesis library (9,486 LasR DNA sequences) was created by mutating six residues in LasR's β5 sheet with single, double, or triple amino acid substitutions. Sort-seq assays were performed in parallel using cognate and noncognate HSLs to quantify each corresponding sensor's response to each HSL signal, which identified hundreds of highly specific variants. Sensor variants identified were individually assayed and exhibited up to 60.6-fold (p = 0.0013) improved relative activation by the cognate signal compared to the wildtype. Interestingly, we uncovered prevalent mutational epistasis and previously unidentified residues contributing to signal specificity. The resulting sensors with negligible signal crosstalk could be broadly applied to engineer bacteria consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zeng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Biprodev Sarker
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Stephen N Rondthaler
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Vanessa Vu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Lauren B Andrews
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
- Biotechnology Training Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Higuera-Ciapara I, Benitez-Vindiola M, Figueroa-Yañez LJ, Martínez-Benavidez E. Polyphenols and CRISPR as Quorum Quenching Agents in Antibiotic-Resistant Foodborne Human Pathogens ( Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli 0157:H7). Foods 2024; 13:584. [PMID: 38397561 PMCID: PMC10888066 DOI: 10.3390/foods13040584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in foodborne pathogens is an increasing threat to global human health. Among the most prevalent antibiotic-resistant bacteria are Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni and E. coli 0157:H7. Control of these and other pathogens requires innovative approaches, i.e., discovering new molecules that will inactivate them, or render them less virulent without inducing resistance. Recently, several polyphenol molecules have been shown to possess such characteristics. Also, the use of CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) approaches has recently been proposed for such purpose. This review summarizes the main findings regarding the application of both approaches to control the above-mentioned foodborne pathogens by relying on Quorum Sensing interference (Quorum Quenching) mechanisms and highlights the avenues needed for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marieva Benitez-Vindiola
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City 04510, Mexico;
| | - Luis J. Figueroa-Yañez
- Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, A.C., Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (L.J.F.-Y.); (E.M.-B.)
| | - Evelin Martínez-Benavidez
- Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, A.C., Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (L.J.F.-Y.); (E.M.-B.)
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Mould DL, Finger CE, Conaway A, Botelho N, Stuut SE, Hogan DA. Citrate cross-feeding by Pseudomonas aeruginosa supports lasR mutant fitness. mBio 2024; 15:e0127823. [PMID: 38259061 PMCID: PMC10865840 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01278-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cross-feeding of metabolites between subpopulations can affect cell phenotypes and population-level behaviors. In chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections, subpopulations with loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the lasR gene are common. LasR, a transcription factor often described for its role in virulence factor expression, also impacts metabolism, which, in turn, affects interactions between LasR+ and LasR- genotypes. Prior transcriptomic analyses suggested that citrate, a metabolite secreted by many cell types, induces virulence factor production when both genotypes are together. An unbiased analysis of the intracellular metabolome revealed broad differences including higher levels of citrate in lasR LOF mutants. Citrate consumption by LasR- strains required the CbrAB two-component system, which relieves carbon catabolite repression and is elevated in lasR LOF mutants. Within mixed communities, the citrate-responsive two-component system TctED and its gene targets OpdH (porin) and TctABC (citrate transporter) that are predicted to be under catabolite repression control were induced and required for enhanced RhlR/I-dependent signaling, pyocyanin production, and fitness of LasR- strains. Citrate uptake by LasR- strains markedly increased pyocyanin production in co-culture with Staphylococcus aureus, which also secretes citrate and frequently co-infects with P. aeruginosa. This citrate-induced restoration of virulence factor production by LasR- strains in communities with diverse species or genotypes may offer an explanation for the contrast observed between the markedly deficient virulence factor production of LasR- strains in monocultures and their association with the most severe forms of cystic fibrosis lung infections. These studies highlight the impact of secreted metabolites in mixed microbial communities.IMPORTANCECross-feeding of metabolites can change community composition, structure, and function. Here, we unravel a cross-feeding mechanism between frequently co-observed isolate genotypes in chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections. We illustrate an example of how clonally derived diversity in a microbial communication system enables intra- and inter-species cross-feeding. Citrate, a metabolite released by many cells including P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, was differentially consumed between genotypes. Since these two pathogens frequently co-occur in the most severe cystic fibrosis lung infections, the cross-feeding-induced virulence factor expression and fitness described here between diverse genotypes exemplify how co-occurrence can facilitate the development of worse disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dallas L. Mould
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Carson E. Finger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Amy Conaway
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Nico Botelho
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Stacie E. Stuut
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Deborah A. Hogan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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Heffernan JR, Wildenthal JA, Tran H, Katumba GL, McCoy WH, Henderson JP. Yersiniabactin is a quorum-sensing autoinducer and siderophore in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. mBio 2024; 15:e0027723. [PMID: 38236035 PMCID: PMC10865836 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00277-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Siderophores are secreted ferric ion chelators used to obtain iron in nutrient-limited environmental niches, including human hosts. While all Escherichia coli express the enterobactin (Ent) siderophore system, isolates from patients with urinary tract infections additionally express the genetically distinct yersiniabactin (Ybt) siderophore system. To determine whether the Ent and Ybt systems are functionally redundant for iron uptake, we compared the growth of different isogenic siderophore biosynthetic mutants in the presence of transferrin, a human iron-binding protein. We observed that Ybt expression does not compensate for deficient Ent expression following low-density inoculation. Using transcriptional and product analysis, we found this non-redundancy to be attributable to a density-dependent transcriptional stimulation cycle in which Ybt functions as an autoinducer. These results distinguish the Ybt system as a combined quorum-sensing and siderophore system. These functions may reflect Ybt as a public good within bacterial communities or as an adaptation to confined, subcellular compartments in infected hosts. This combined functionality may contribute to the extraintestinal pathogenic potential of E. coli and related Enterobacterales.IMPORTANCEPatients with urinary tract infections are often infected with Escherichia coli strains carrying adaptations that increase their pathogenic potential. One of these adaptations is the accumulation of multiple siderophore systems, which scavenge iron for nutritional use. While iron uptake is important for bacterial growth, the increased metabolic costs of siderophore production could diminish bacterial fitness during infections. In a siderophore-dependent growth condition, we show that the virulence-associated yersiniabactin siderophore system in uropathogenic E. coli is not redundant with the ubiquitous E. coli enterobactin system. This arises not from differences in iron-scavenging activity but because yersiniabactin is preferentially expressed during bacterial crowding, leaving bacteria dependent upon enterobactin for growth at low cell density. Notably, this regulatory mode arises because yersiniabactin stimulates its own expression, acting as an autoinducer in a previously unappreciated quorum-sensing system. This unexpected result connects quorum-sensing with pathogenic potential in E. coli and related Enterobacterales.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Heffernan
- Center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John A. Wildenthal
- Center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hung Tran
- Center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - George L. Katumba
- Center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - William H. McCoy
- Division of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jeffrey P. Henderson
- Center for Women’s Infectious Disease Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Zhao S, Zhu S, Liu S, Song G, Zhao J, Liu R, Liu H, Qu J. Quorum Sensing Enhances Direct Interspecies Electron Transfer in Anaerobic Methane Production. Environ Sci Technol 2024; 58:2891-2901. [PMID: 38308618 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) provides an innovative way to achieve efficient methanogenesis, and this study proposes a new approach to upregulate the DIET pathway by enhancing quorum sensing (QS). Based on long-term reactor performance, QS enhancement achieved more vigorous methanogenesis with 98.7% COD removal efficiency. In the control system, methanogenesis failure occurred at the accumulated acetate of 7420 mg of COD/L and lowered pH of 6.04, and a much lower COD removal of 41.9% was observed. The more significant DIET in QS-enhancing system was supported by higher expression of conductive pili and the c-Cyts cytochrome secretion-related genes, resulting in 12.7- and 10.3-fold improvements. Moreover, QS enhancement also improved the energy production capability, with the increase of F-type and V/A-type ATPase expression by 6.3- and 4.2-fold, and this effect probably provided more energy for nanowires and c-Cyts cytochrome secretion. From the perspective of community structure, QS enhancement increased the abundance of Methanosaeta and Geobacter from 54.3 and 17.6% in the control to 63.0 and 33.8%, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in carbon dioxide reduction and alcohol dehydrogenation increased by 0.6- and 7.1-fold, respectively. Taken together, this study indicates the positive effects of QS chemicals to stimulate DIET and advances the understanding of the DIET methanogenesis involved in environments such as anaerobic digesters and sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunan Zhao
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shaoqing Zhu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Suo Liu
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ge Song
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ruiping Liu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Huijuan Liu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jiuhui Qu
- Center for Water and Ecology, State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Kar A, Mukherjee SK, Barik S, Hossain ST. Antimicrobial Activity of Trigonelline Hydrochloride Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Its Quorum-Sensing Regulated Molecular Mechanisms on Biofilm Formation and Virulence. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:746-762. [PMID: 38232080 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a vivid biofilm-producing bacterium, is considered a dreadful opportunistic pathogen, and thus, management of biofilm-associated infections due to multidrug resistant strains by traditional drugs currently is of great concern. This study was aimed to assess the impact of trigonelline hydrochloride, a pyridine alkaloid, on P. aeruginosa PAO1, in search of an alternative therapeutant. The effect of trigonelline on colony morphology and motility was studied along with its role on biofilm and expression virulence factors. Trigonelline influenced the colony structure, motility, biofilm architecture, and the production of virulence factors in a dose-dependent manner. Alterations in quorum sending (QS)-regulated gene expression after treatment and molecular docking analysis for certain regulator proteins confirmed its effect on the QS-system network by affecting Las, Rhl, and Pqs signaling pathways and as possible molecular targets. Thus, trigonelline might be considered as a potential chemical lead to manage biofilm-associated pathogenesis or to develop other analogues with enhanced pharmacokinetic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiya Kar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Kalyani, Kalyani 741235, India
| | | | - Subhasis Barik
- Department of In Vitro Carcinogenesis and Cellular Chemotherapy, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal 700026, India
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Salehi-Najafabadi A, Tehrani Fateh S, Amoabediny G, Hamedi J. Insights into additional lactone-based signaling circuits in Streptomyces: existence of acyl-homoserine lactones and LuxI/LuxR homologs in six Streptomyces species. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1342637. [PMID: 38389542 PMCID: PMC10883386 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1342637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), mediating pivotal physiological activities through quorum sensing (QS), have conventionally been considered limited to Gram-negative bacteria. However, few reports on the existence of AHLs in Gram-positive bacteria have questioned this conception. Streptomyces, as Gram-positive bacteria already utilizing a lactone-based QS molecule (i.e., gamma-butyrolactones), are yet to be explored for producing AHLs, considering their metabolic capacity and physiological distinction. In this regard, our study examined the potential production of AHLs within Streptomyces by deploying HPLC-MS/MS methods, which resulted in the discovery of multiple AHL productions by S. griseus, S. lavendulae FRI-5, S. clavuligerus, S. nodosus, S. lividans, and S. coelicolor A3(2). Each of these Streptomyces species possesses a combination of AHLs of different size ranges, possibly due to their distinct properties and regulatory roles. In light of additional lactone molecules, we further confirm that AHL- and GBL-synthases (i.e., LuxI and AfsA enzyme families, respectively) and their receptors (i.e., LuxR and ArpA) are evolutionarily distinct. To this end, we searched for the components of the AHL signaling circuit, i.e., AHL synthases and receptors, in the Streptomyces genus, and we have identified multiple potential LuxI and LuxR homologs in all 2,336 Streptomyces species included in this study. The 6 Streptomyces of interest in this study also had at least 4 LuxI homologs and 97 LuxR homologs. In conclusion, AHLs and associated gene regulatory systems could be more widespread within the prokaryotic realm than previously believed, potentially contributing to the control of secondary metabolites (e.g., antibiotics) and their complex life cycle, which leads to substantial industrial and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Salehi-Najafabadi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepand Tehrani Fateh
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Amoabediny
- Research Center for New Technologies in Life Science Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Faculty of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Hamedi
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Kristensen R, Andersen JB, Rybtke M, Jansen CU, Fritz BG, Kiilerich RO, Uhd J, Bjarnsholt T, Qvortrup K, Tolker-Nielsen T, Givskov M, Jakobsen TH. Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by chemical induction of the MexEF-oprN efflux pump. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0138723. [PMID: 38189278 PMCID: PMC10848761 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01387-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell-to-cell communication system quorum sensing (QS), used by various pathogenic bacteria to synchronize gene expression and increase host invasion potentials, is studied as a potential target for persistent infection control. To search for novel molecules targeting the QS system in the Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a chemical library consisting of 3,280 small compounds from LifeArc was screened. A series of 10 conjugated phenones that have not previously been reported to target bacteria were identified as inhibitors of QS in P. aeruginosa. Two lead compounds (ethylthio enynone and propylthio enynone) were re-synthesized for verification of activity and further elucidation of the mode of action. The isomeric pure Z-ethylthio enynone was used for RNA sequencing, revealing a strong inhibitor of QS-regulated genes, and the QS-regulated virulence factors rhamnolipid and pyocyanin were significantly decreased by treatment with the compounds. A transposon mutagenesis screen performed in a newly constructed lasB-gfp monitor strain identified the target of Z-ethylthio enynone in P. aeruginosa to be the MexEF-OprN efflux pump, which was further established using defined mex knockout mutants. Our data indicate that the QS inhibitory capabilities of Z-ethylthio enynone were caused by the drainage of intracellular signal molecules as a response to chemical-induced stimulation of the MexEF-oprN efflux pump, thereby inhibiting the autogenerated positive feedback and its enhanced signal-molecule synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Kristensen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bo Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Rybtke
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Blaine Gabriel Fritz
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Overgaard Kiilerich
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Uhd
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bjarnsholt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Qvortrup
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tim Tolker-Nielsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Givskov
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tim Holm Jakobsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Kasza K, Richards B, Jones S, Romero M, Robertson SN, Hardie KR, Gurnani P, Cámara M, Alexander C. Ciprofloxacin Poly(β-amino ester) Conjugates Enhance Antibiofilm Activity and Slow the Development of Resistance. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2024; 16:5412-5425. [PMID: 38289032 PMCID: PMC10859900 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c14357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
To tackle the emerging antibiotic resistance crisis, novel antimicrobial approaches are urgently needed. Bacterial biofilms are a particular concern in this context as they are responsible for over 80% of bacterial infections and are inherently more recalcitrant toward antimicrobial treatments. The high tolerance of biofilms to conventional antibiotics has been attributed to several factors, including reduced drug diffusion through the dense exopolymeric matrix and the upregulation of antimicrobial resistance machinery with successful biofilm eradication requiring prolonged high doses of multidrug treatments. A promising approach to tackle bacterial infections involves the use of polymer drug conjugates, shown to improve upon free drug toxicity and bioavailability, enhance drug penetration through the thick biofilm matrix, and evade common resistance mechanisms. In the following study, we conjugated the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) to a small library of biodegradable and biocompatible poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) polymers with varying central amine functionality. The suitability of the polymers as antibiotic conjugates was then verified in a series of assays including testing of efficacy and resistance response in planktonic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and the reduction of viability in mono- and multispecies biofilm models. The most active polymer within the prepared PBAE-CIP library was shown to achieve an over 2-fold increase in the reduction of biofilm viability in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa monospecies biofilm and superior elimination of all the species present within the multispecies biofilm model. Hence, we demonstrate that CIP conjugation to PBAEs can be employed to achieve improved antibiotic efficacy against clinically relevant biofilm models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kasza
- Division
of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Brogan Richards
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Sal Jones
- Division
of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Manuel Romero
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
- Department
of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain
| | - Shaun N. Robertson
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Kim R. Hardie
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Pratik Gurnani
- UCL
School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, U.K.
| | - Miguel Cámara
- National
Biofilms Innovation Centre, School of Life Sciences, Biodiscovery
Institute, University Park, University of
Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
| | - Cameron Alexander
- Division
of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, U.K.
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Zhang A, Yu Y, Ji Y, Tong X, Tu X, Liang Y, Lian L, Pan D, Wu Z. Quorum sensing effect of chiral d-glutamine on the modulation of the intestinal microbiota of mice by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A3. J Sci Food Agric 2024. [PMID: 38323477 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amino acids (AAs) are the building blocks of proteins, but they also serve as biological compounds in biochemical processes, and d-AA isomers are increasingly being recognized as important signaling molecules. As the main organic substrate used by cells in the intestinal tract, the role of the chiral specificity of glutamine is still largely ignored. RESULTS In a previous study, we found that d-glutamine affected the quorum sensing of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum A3, promoted the release of signaling molecule AI-2 and up-regulated the expression of the LuxS gene. The results showed that when d-glutamine and L. plantarum A3 were simultaneously applied to a mouse model, the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora in both male and female mice were increased. Interestingly, the simultaneous effect of d-glutamine and L. plantarum A3 on the bacterial diversity and abundance of male mice was significantly higher than that of female mice. In addition, the combination of d-glutamine and L. plantarum A3 can improve the host microecology by enhancing the population of Firmicutes such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae, reducing the population of Fusobacterium and Bacteroides and affecting metabolic pathways such as AA metabolism and transporter transport. CONCLUSION d-Glutamine, as a signaling molecule, can better stimulate the endogenous d-glutamine synthesis in mice and be utilized by L. plantarum A3. Furthermore, sex differences in the changes of intestinal microflora are also found in this research. This research sheds some light on the adoption of d-AAs combined with lactic acid bacteria in intestinal tract health treatment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yixing Yu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Youwei Ji
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xin Tong
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Xubin Tu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yu Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | | | - Daodong Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products, Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
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Resende DISP, Durães F, Zubarioglu S, Freitas-Silva J, Szemerédi N, Pinto M, Pinto E, Martins da Costa P, Spengler G, Sousa E. Antibacterial Potential of Symmetrical Twin-Drug 3,6-Diaminoxanthones. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:209. [PMID: 38399424 PMCID: PMC10891989 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Global health faces a significant issue with the rise of infectious diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. The increasing number of multi-drug resistant microbial pathogens severely threatens public health worldwide. Antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria, in particular, present a significant challenge. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new potential antimicrobial targets and discover new chemical entities that can potentially reverse bacterial resistance. The main goal of this research work was to create and develop a library of 3,6-disubstituted xanthones based on twin drugs and molecular extension approaches to inhibit the activity of efflux pumps. The process involved synthesizing 3,6-diaminoxanthones through the reaction of 9-oxo-9H-xanthene-3,6-diyl bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) with various primary and secondary amines. The resulting 3,6-disubstituted xanthone derivatives were then tested for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against a range of pathogenic strains and their efficacy in inhibiting the activity of efflux pumps, biofilm formation, and quorum-sensing. Several compounds have exhibited effective antibacterial properties against the Gram-positive bacterial species tested. Xanthone 16, in particular, has demonstrated exceptional efficacy with a remarkable MIC of 11 µM (4 µg/mL) against reference strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, and 25 µM (9 µg/mL) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus 272123. Furthermore, some derivatives have shown potential as antibiofilm agents in a crystal violet assay. The ethidium bromide accumulation assay pinpointed certain compounds inhibiting bacterial efflux pumps. The cytotoxic effect of the most promising compounds was examined in mouse fibroblast cell line NIH/3T3, and two monoamine substituted xanthone derivatives with a hydroxyl substituent did not exhibit any cytotoxicity. Overall, the nature of the substituent was critical in determining the antimicrobial spectra of aminated xanthones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana I. S. P. Resende
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (LQOF), Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Fernando Durães
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (LQOF), Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Sidika Zubarioglu
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (LQOF), Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Freitas-Silva
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Nikoletta Szemerédi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis utca 6, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Madalena Pinto
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (LQOF), Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Pinto
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Martins da Costa
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
- ICBAS—Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Gabriella Spengler
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Health Center and Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Semmelweis utca 6, 6725 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Emília Sousa
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (LQOF), Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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Muriel-Millán LF, Montelongo-Martínez LF, González-Valdez A, Bedoya-Pérez LP, Cocotl-Yañez M, Soberón-Chávez G. The alternative sigma factor RpoS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing response by repressing the pqsABCDE operon and activating vfr. Mol Microbiol 2024; 121:291-303. [PMID: 38169053 DOI: 10.1111/mmi.15224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important opportunistic pathogen. Several of its virulence-related processes, including the synthesis of pyocyanin (PYO) and biofilm formation, are controlled by quorum sensing (QS). It has been shown that the alternative sigma factor RpoS regulates QS through the reduction of lasR and rhlR transcription (encoding QS regulators). However, paradoxically, the absence of RpoS increases PYO production and biofilm development (that are RhlR dependent) by unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that RpoS represses pqsE transcription, which impacts the stability and activity of RhlR. In the absence of RpoS, rhlR transcript levels are reduced but not the RhlR protein concentration, presumably by its stabilization by PqsE, whose expression is increased. We also report that PYO synthesis and the expression of pqsE and phzA1B1C1D1E1F1G1 operon exhibit the same pattern at different RpoS concentrations, suggesting that the RpoS-dependent PYO production is due to its ability to modify PqsE concentration, which in turn modulates the activation of the phzA1 promoter by RhlR. Finally, we demonstrate that RpoS favors the expression of Vfr, which activates the transcription of lasR and rhlR. Our study contributes to the understanding of how RpoS modulates the QS response in P. aeruginosa, exerting both negative and positive regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Felipe Muriel-Millán
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Luis Fernando Montelongo-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Abigail González-Valdez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Leidy Patricia Bedoya-Pérez
- Programa de Biología Sintética, Centro de Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Miguel Cocotl-Yañez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gloria Soberón-Chávez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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50
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Krell T, Matilla MA. Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Trends Microbiol 2024; 32:216-218. [PMID: 38065787 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Tino Krell
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, 18008, Spain
| | - Miguel A Matilla
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Granada, 18008, Spain.
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