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Alatawneh N, Thangaraj M, Meijler MM. Inhibition of Acinetobacter nosocomialis twitching motility by quinolones produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024. [PMID: 39380548 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc04270k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Twitching motility in A. nosocomialis is a key virulence factor linked to antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity. This study revealed that the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) and hydroxy-containing quinolones significantly inhibit motility without affecting bacterial growth, highlighting their potential as targets for controlling bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadeem Alatawneh
- Department of Chemistry and The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Manikandan Thangaraj
- Department of Chemistry and The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
| | - Michael M Meijler
- Department of Chemistry and The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
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2
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Zhou Y, Shen Z, Xu Y, Qian XN, Chen W, Qiu J. Antimicrobial efficiency and cytocompatibility of resveratrol and naringin as chemical decontaminants on SLA surface. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0367923. [PMID: 39240122 PMCID: PMC11448033 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03679-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial biofilms are the major etiology agent of peri-implant disease. Chemical decontamination is a promising treatment strategy against bacterial biofilms; however, its applications are limited by its low efficiency and poor biocompatibility. In contrast to three conventional cleaners (sterile saline, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorhexidine), this study used resveratrol and naringin solutions to remove mature Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm on sandblasted (with large grit and acid-etched (SLA) titanium surface. To determine changes in surface characteristics, the surface wettability and roughness were measured, and micromorphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. With crystal violet (CV) and live/dead bacterial staining, residual plaque quantity and composition were measured. The biocompatibility was tested using pH and cytotoxicity, as well as by osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, and fibroblasts (L-929) proliferation were also analyzed. It was found that resveratrol and naringin solutions were more effective in restoring surface characteristics and also showed that less plaque and viable bacteria were left. Naringin removed S. aureus biofilms better than chlorhexidine. Alkaline resveratrol and naringin solutions increased cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation without any cytotoxicity. Resveratrol increased the expression of mRNA and protein associated with osteogenesis. In conclusion, resveratrol and naringin effectively restored SLA titanium surface characteristics and decontaminated the biofilm with good biocompatibility, suggesting their therapeutic potential as chemical decontaminants. IMPORTANCE Bacterial biofilms are considered the primary etiology of peri-implant disease. Physical cleaning is the most common way to remove bacterial biofilm, but it can cause grooving, melting, and deposition of chemicals that alter the surface of implants, which may hamper biocompatibility and re-osseointegration. Chemical decontamination is one of the most promising treatments but is limited by low efficiency and poor biocompatibility. Our study aims to develop safer, more effective chemical decontaminants for peri-implant disease prevention and treatment. We focus on resveratrol and naringin, two natural compounds, which have shown to be more effective in decontaminating biofilms on dental implant surfaces and exerting better biocompatibility. This research is groundbreaking as it is the first exploration of natural plant extracts' impact on mature bacterial biofilms on rough titanium surfaces. By advancing this knowledge, we seek to contribute to more effective and biocompatible strategies for combating peri-implant diseases, enhancing oral health, and prolonging implant lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Zhou
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhe Shen
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin-na Qian
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Qiu
- Department of Oral Implantology, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Research, Prevention and Treatment for Oral Diseases, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Stomatological Translational Medicine, Nanjing, China
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3
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Jia T, Bi X, Li M, Zhang C, Ren A, Li S, Zhou T, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Liu X, Deng Y, Liu B, Li G, Yang L. Hfq-binding small RNA PqsS regulates Pseudomonas aeruginosa pqs quorum sensing system and virulence. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:82. [PMID: 39261499 PMCID: PMC11391009 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00550-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widespread nosocomial pathogen with a significant to cause both severe planktonic acute and biofilm-related chronic infections. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are noncoding regulatory molecules that are stabilized by the RNA chaperone Hfq to trigger various virulence-related signaling pathways. Here, we identified an Hfq-binding sRNA in P. aeruginosa PAO1, PqsS, which promotes bacterial pathogenicity and pseudomonas quinolone signal quorum sensing (pqs QS) system. Specifically, PqsS enhanced acute bacterial infections by inducing host cell death and promoting rhamnolipid-regulated swarming motility. Meanwhile, PqsS reduced chronic infection traits including biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. Moreover, PqsS repressed pqsL transcript, increasing PQS levels for pqs QS. A PQS-rich environment promoted PqsS expression, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the PqsS interacts and destabilizes the pqsL mRNA by recruiting RNase E to drive degradation. These findings provide insights for future research on P. aeruginosa pathogenesis and targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyuan Jia
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xianbiao Bi
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Menglu Li
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenhui Zhang
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Anmin Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shangru Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tian Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingdan Zhang
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Medical Research Center, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Human Disease Prevention, International Cancer Center, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yinyue Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bin Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, TEDA Institute of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Guobao Li
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Yang
- Shenzhen National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Shenzhen Third People's Hospital, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
- Department of Pharmacology, Joint Laboratory of Guangdong-Hong Kong Universities for Vascular Homeostasis and Diseases, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science a-nd Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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4
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Hu XL, Gan HQ, Gui WZ, Yan KC, Sessler JL, Yi D, Tian H, He XP. Superresolution imaging of antibiotic-induced structural disruption of bacteria enabled by photochromic glycomicelles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2408716121. [PMID: 39226360 PMCID: PMC11406247 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2408716121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial evolution, particularly in hospital settings, is leading to an increase in multidrug resistance. Understanding the basis for this resistance is critical as it can drive discovery of new antibiotics while allowing the clinical use of known antibiotics to be optimized. Here, we report a photoactive chemical probe for superresolution microscopy that allows for the in situ probing of antibiotic-induced structural disruption of bacteria. Conjugation between a spiropyran (SP) and galactose via click chemistry produces an amphiphilic photochromic glycoprobe, which self-assembles into glycomicelles in water. The hydrophobic inner core of the glycomicelles allows encapsulation of antibiotics. Photoirradiation then serves to convert the SP to the corresponding merocyanine (MR) form. This results in micellar disassembly allowing for release of the antibiotic in an on-demand fashion. The glycomicelles of this study adhere selectively to the surface of a Gram-negative bacterium through multivalent sugar-lectin interaction. Antibiotic release from the glycomicelles then induces membrane collapse. This dynamic process can be imaged in situ by superresolution spectroscopy owing to the "fluorescence blinking" of the SP/MR photochromic pair. This research provides a high-precision imaging tool that may be used to visualize how antibiotics disrupt the structural integrity of bacteria in real time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Le Hu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hui-Qi Gan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wen-Zhen Gui
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kai-Cheng Yan
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan L Sessler
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-1224
| | - Dong Yi
- Research Center for Systems Biosynthesis, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, National Key Laboratory of Lead Druggability Research, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - He Tian
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiao-Peng He
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Joint International Research Laboratory of Precision Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- National Center for Liver Cancer, The International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Shanghai 200438, China
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5
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Li Y, Liang X, Chen N, Yuan X, Wang J, Wu Q, Ding Y. The promotion of biofilm dispersion: a new strategy for eliminating foodborne pathogens in the food industry. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2024:1-25. [PMID: 39054781 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2354524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Food safety is a critical global concern due to its direct impact on human health and overall well-being. In the food processing environment, biofilm formation by foodborne pathogens poses a significant problem as it leads to persistent and high levels of food contamination, thereby compromising the quality and safety of food. Therefore, it is imperative to effectively remove biofilms from the food processing environment to ensure food safety. Unfortunately, conventional cleaning methods fall short of adequately removing biofilms, and they may even contribute to further contamination of both equipment and food. It is necessary to develop alternative approaches that can address this challenge in food industry. One promising strategy in tackling biofilm-related issues is biofilm dispersion, which represents the final step in biofilm development. Here, we discuss the biofilm dispersion mechanism of foodborne pathogens and elucidate how biofilm dispersion can be employed to control and mitigate biofilm-related problems. By shedding light on these aspects, we aim to provide valuable insights and solutions for effectively addressing biofilm contamination issues in food industry, thus enhancing food safety and ensuring the well-being of consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangfu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinmin Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nuo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoming Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Juan Wang
- College of Food Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, National Health Commission Science and Technology Innovation Platform for Nutrition and Safety of Microbial Food, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Safety and Health, Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Ding
- Department of Food Science & Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Weiler J, Edel M, Gescher J. Biofilms for Production of Chemicals and Energy. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2024; 15:361-387. [PMID: 38382126 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-100522-110939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The twenty-first century will be the century of biology. This is not only because of breakthrough advances in molecular biology tools but also because we need to reinvent our economy based on the biological principles of energy efficiency and sustainability. Consequently, new tools for production routines must be developed to help produce platform chemicals and energy sources based on sustainable resources. In this context, biofilm-based processes have the potential to impact future production processes, because they can be carried out continuously and with robust stationary biocatalysts embedded in an extracellular matrix with different properties. We review productive biofilm systems used for heterotrophic and lithoautotrophic production and attempt to identify fundamental reasons why they may be particularly suitable as future production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek Weiler
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Miriam Edel
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany;
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7
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Kok LC, Tsai CC, Liao YH, Lo YL, Cheng NW, Lin CT, Chang HY. Roles of transcriptional factor PsrA in the regulation of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1424330. [PMID: 38989021 PMCID: PMC11233452 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1424330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor PsrA regulates fatty acid metabolism, the type III secretion system, and quinolone signaling quorum sensing system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To explore additional roles of PsrA in P. aeruginosa, this study engineered a P. aeruginosa PAO1 strain to carry a recombinant plasmid with the psrA gene (pMMBpsrA) and examined the impact of elevated psrA expression to the bacterium. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that PsrA significantly downregulated genes encoding the master quorum-sensing regulators, RhlR and LasR, and influenced many quorum-sensing-associated genes. The role of PsrA in quorum sensing was further corroborated by testing autoinducer synthesis in PAO1 [pMMBpsrA] using two reporter bacteria strains Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Escherichia coli [pSB1075], which respond to short- and long-chain acyl homoserine lactones, respectively. Phenotypic comparisons of isogenic ΔpsrA, ΔlasR, and ΔpsrAΔlasR mutants revealed that the reduced elastase, caseinase, and swarming activity in PAO1 [pMMBpsrA] were likely mediated through LasR. Additionally, electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that recombinant PsrA could bind to the lasR promoter at a 5'-AAACGTTTGCTT-3' sequence, which displays moderate similarity to the previously reported consensus PsrA binding motif. Furthermore, the PsrA effector molecule oleic acid inhibited PsrA binding to the lasR promoter and restored several quorum sensing-related phenotypes to wild-type levels. These findings suggest that PsrA regulates certain quorum-sensing phenotypes by negatively regulating lasR expression, with oleic acid acting as a crucial signaling molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Ching Kok
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chun Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Liao
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Lo
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Nai-Wei Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ting Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan
| | - Hwan-You Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan
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Yan X, Hou S, Xing C, Zhang Y, Chang J, Xiao J, Lin F. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of the Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Molecules 2024; 29:2211. [PMID: 38792073 PMCID: PMC11123961 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the resistance of Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 to most clinically relevant antimicrobials, the use of traditional antibiotic treatments in hospitals is challenging. The formation of biofilms, which is regulated by the quorum-sensing (QS) system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), is an important cause of drug resistance. There are three main QS systems in P. aeruginosa: the las system, the rhl system, and the pqs system. The inhibitors of the las system are the most studied. Previously, the compound AOZ-1 was found to have a certain inhibitory effect on the las system when screened. In this study, twenty-four compounds were designed and synthesized by modifying the Linker and Rings of AOZ-1. Using C. violaceum CV026 as a reporter strain, this study first assessed the inhibitory effects of new compounds against QS, and their SAR was investigated. Then, based on the SAR analysis of compound AOZ-1 derivatives, the parent core of AOZ-1 was replaced to explore the structural diversity. Then, nine new compounds were designed and synthesized with a new nucleus core component of 3-amino-tetrahydro-l,3-oxazin-2-one. The compound Y-31 (IC50 = 91.55 ± 3.35 µM) was found to inhibit the QS of C. violaceum CV026. Its inhibitory effect on C. violaceum CV026 was better than that of compound AOZ-1 (IC50 > 200 µM). Furthermore, biofilm formation is one of the important causes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 resistance. In this study, it was found that compound Y-31, with a new nucleus core component of 3-amino-tetrahydro-l,3-oxazin-2-one, had the highest biofilm inhibition rate (40.44%). The compound Y-31 has a certain inhibitory effect on the production of PAO1 virulence factors (pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and elastase) and swarming. When the concentration of compound Y-31 was 162.5 µM, the inhibition rates of pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and elastase were 22.48%, 6.13%, and 22.67%, respectively. In vivo, the lifetime of wildtype Caenorhabditis elegans N2 infected with P. aeruginosa PAO1 was markedly extended by the new parent nucleus Y-31. This study also performed cytotoxicity experiments and in vivo pharmacokinetics experiments on the compound Y-31. In conclusion, this study identified a compound, Y-31, with a new nucleus core component of 3-amino-tetrahydro-l,3-oxazin-2-one, which is a potential agent for treating P. aeruginosa PAO1 that is resistant to antibiotics and offers a way to discover novel antibacterial medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Yan
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China; (X.Y.); (S.H.); (J.C.)
| | - Shi Hou
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China; (X.Y.); (S.H.); (J.C.)
| | - Cheng Xing
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China;
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Jiajia Chang
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China; (X.Y.); (S.H.); (J.C.)
| | - Junhai Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for the Emergency Drug, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing 100850, China; (X.Y.); (S.H.); (J.C.)
| | - Feng Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China;
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9
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Laborda P, Lolle S, Hernando-Amado S, Alcalde-Rico M, Aanæs K, Martínez JL, Molin S, Johansen HK. Mutations in the efflux pump regulator MexZ shift tissue colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a state of antibiotic tolerance. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2584. [PMID: 38519499 PMCID: PMC10959964 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46938-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in mexZ, encoding a negative regulator of the expression of the mexXY efflux pump genes, are frequently acquired by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at early stages of lung infection. Although traditionally related to resistance to the first-line drug tobramycin, mexZ mutations are associated with low-level aminoglycoside resistance when determined in the laboratory, suggesting that their selection during infection may not be necessarily, or only, related to tobramycin therapy. Here, we show that mexZ-mutated bacteria tend to accumulate inside the epithelial barrier of a human airway infection model, thus colonising the epithelium while being protected against diverse antibiotics. This phenotype is mediated by overexpression of lecA, a quorum sensing-controlled gene, encoding a lectin involved in P. aeruginosa tissue invasiveness. We find that lecA overexpression is caused by a disrupted equilibrium between the overproduced MexXY and another efflux pump, MexAB, which extrudes quorum sensing signals. Our results indicate that mexZ mutations affect the expression of quorum sensing-regulated pathways, thus promoting tissue invasiveness and protecting bacteria from the action of antibiotics within patients, something unnoticeable using standard laboratory tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Signe Lolle
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Manuel Alcalde-Rico
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kasper Aanæs
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery & Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Søren Molin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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10
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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] [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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11
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Cheng T, Cheang QW, Xu L, Sheng S, Li Z, Shi Y, Zhang H, Pang LM, Liu DX, Yang L, Liang ZX, Wang J. A PilZ domain protein interacts with the transcriptional regulator HinK to regulate type VI secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105741. [PMID: 38340793 PMCID: PMC10912698 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are bacterial macromolecular complexes that secrete effectors into target cells or the extracellular environment, leading to the demise of adjacent cells and providing a survival advantage. Although studies have shown that the T6SS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is regulated by the Quorum Sensing system and second messenger c-di-GMP, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we discovered that the c-di-GMP-binding adaptor protein PA0012 has a repressive effect on the expression of the T6SS HSI-I genes in P. aeruginosa PAO1. To probe the mechanism by which PA0012 (renamed TssZ, Type Six Secretion System -associated PilZ protein) regulates the expression of HSI-I genes, we conducted yeast two-hybrid screening and identified HinK, a LasR-type transcriptional regulator, as the binding partner of TssZ. The protein-protein interaction between HinK and TssZ was confirmed through co-immunoprecipitation assays. Further analysis suggested that the HinK-TssZ interaction was weakened at high c-di-GMP concentrations, contrary to the current paradigm wherein c-di-GMP enhances the interaction between PilZ proteins and their partners. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that the non-c-di-GMP-binding mutant TssZR5A/R9A interacts directly with HinK and prevents it from binding to the promoter of the quorum-sensing regulator pqsR. The functional connection between TssZ and HinK is further supported by observations that TssZ and HinK impact the swarming motility, pyocyanin production, and T6SS-mediated bacterial killing activity of P. aeruginosa in a PqsR-dependent manner. Together, these results unveil a novel regulatory mechanism wherein TssZ functions as an inhibitor that interacts with HinK to control gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianfang Cheng
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Wei Cheang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Linghui Xu
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuo Sheng
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of the Ministry of Education, Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhaoting Li
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huiyan Zhang
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Mei Pang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ding Xiang Liu
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang Yang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zhao-Xun Liang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Junxia Wang
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.
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12
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Zhang H, Yang J, Cheng J, Zeng J, Ma X, Lin J. PQS and pyochelin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa share inner membrane transporters to mediate iron uptake. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0325623. [PMID: 38171001 PMCID: PMC10846271 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03256-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria absorb different forms of iron through various channels to meet their needs. Our previous studies have shown that TseF, a type VI secretion system effector for Fe uptake, facilitates the delivery of outer membrane vesicle-associated Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS)-Fe3+ to bacterial cells by a process involving the Fe(III) pyochelin receptor FptA and the porin OprF. However, the form in which the PQS-Fe3+ complex enters the periplasm and how it is moved into the cytoplasm remain unclear. Here, we first demonstrate that the PQS-Fe3+ complex enters the cell directly through FptA or OprF. Next, we show that inner membrane transporters such as FptX, PchHI, and FepBCDG are not only necessary for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to absorb PQS-Fe3+ and pyochelin (PCH)-Fe3+ but are also necessary for the virulence of P. aeruginosa toward Galleria mellonella larvae. Furthermore, we suggest that the function of PQS-Fe3+ (but not PQS)-mediated quorum-sensing regulation is dependent on FptX, PchHI, and FepBCDG. Additionally, the findings indicate that unlike FptX, neither FepBCDG nor PchHI play roles in the autoregulatory loop involving PchR, but further deletion of fepBCDG and pchHI can reverse the inactive PchR phenotype caused by fptX deletion and reactivate the expression of the PCH pathway genes under iron-limited conditions. Finally, this work identifies the interaction between FptX, PchHI, and FepBCDG, indicating that a larger complex could be formed to mediate the uptake of PQS-Fe3+ and PCH-Fe3+. These results pave the way for a better understanding of the PQS and PCH iron absorption pathways and provide future directions for research on tackling P. aeruginosa infections.IMPORTANCEPseudomonas aeruginosa has evolved a number of strategies to acquire the iron it needs from its host, with the most common being the synthesis, secretion, and uptake of siderophores such as pyoverdine, pyochelin, and the quorum-sensing signaling molecule Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS). However, despite intensive studies of the siderophore uptake pathways of P. aeruginosa, our understanding of how siderophores transport iron across the inner membrane into the cytoplasm is still incomplete. Herein, we reveal that PQS and pyochelin in P. aeruginosa share inner membrane transporters such as FptX, PchHI, and FepBCDG to mediate iron uptake. Meanwhile, PQS and pyochelin-mediated signaling operate to a large extent via these inner membrane transporters. Our study revealed the existence of shared uptake pathways between PQS and pyochelin, which could lead us to reexamine the role of these two molecules in the iron uptake and virulence of P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Jianshe Yang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Juanli Cheng
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Jing Zeng
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Xin Ma
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Jinshui Lin
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Jujube, College of Life Sciences, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
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13
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Flores-Percino D, Osorio-Llanes E, Sepulveda Y, Castellar-López J, Madera RB, Rada WR, Meléndez CM, Mendoza-Torres E. Mechanisms of the Quorum Sensing Systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Host and Bacteria. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:5755-5767. [PMID: 37605403 DOI: 10.2174/0929867331666230821110440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Quorum-sensing is a communication mechanism between bacteria with the ability to activate signaling pathways in the bacterium and in the host cells. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen with high clinical relevance due to its vast virulence factors repertory and wide antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Due to this, it has become a pathogen of interest for developing new antimicrobial agents in recent years. P. aeruginosa has three major QS systems that regulate a wide gene range linked with virulence factors, metabolic regulation, and environment adaption. Consequently, inhibiting this communication mechanism would be a strategy to prevent the pathologic progression of the infections caused by this bacterium. In this review, we aim to overview the current studies about the signaling mechanisms of the QS system of P. aeruginosa and its effects on this bacterium and the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Flores-Percino
- Department of Medicine, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Estefanie Osorio-Llanes
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Yanireth Sepulveda
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Jairo Castellar-López
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Ricardo Belón Madera
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Wendy Rosales Rada
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Carlos Mario Meléndez
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Sciencies, Grupo de Investigación en Química Orgánica y Biomédica, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Evelyn Mendoza-Torres
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Grupo de Investigación Avanzada en Biomedicina, Universidad Libre Seccional Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
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14
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Miao ZY, Zhang XY, Yang MH, Huang YJ, Lin J, Chen WM. 3-Hydroxypyridin-4(1 H)-one Derivatives as pqs Quorum Sensing Inhibitors Attenuate Virulence and Reduce Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Med Chem 2023; 66:15823-15846. [PMID: 37978953 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
The development of quorum sensing inhibitors capable of decreasing the production of virulence factors is an effective strategy to overcome resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa due to the less selective pressure exerted on bacteria. In this study, a series of 3-hydroxypyridin-4(1H)-one derivatives bearing a 4-aminomethyl-1,2,3-triazole linker were designed and synthesized as antivirulence agents against P. aeruginosa. The most potent derivative 16e was identified as a selective inhibitor of the pqs system (IC50 = 3.7 μM) and its related virulence factor pyocyanin (IC50 = 2.7 μM). In addition, 16e exhibited moderate biofilm inhibition and significant inhibition of P. aeruginosa motility phenotypes with low cytotoxicity. Compound 16e showed an obvious antibacterial synergistic effect in combination with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and tobramycin in in vitro and in vivo Caenorhabditis elegans infection models. Overall, the excellent antivirulence properties of compound 16e make it a potential antibiotic adjuvant for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections that may be advanced into preclinical development in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ying Miao
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Zhang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Ming-Han Yang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Yong-Jun Huang
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Jing Lin
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
| | - Wei-Min Chen
- International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, #855 Xingye Avenue, Guangzhou 511400, China
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15
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Genito CJ, Darwitz BP, Greenwald MA, Wolfgang MC, Thurlow LR. Hyperglycemia potentiates increased Staphylococcus aureus virulence and resistance to growth inhibition by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0229923. [PMID: 37933971 PMCID: PMC10715105 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02299-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Individuals with diabetes are prone to more frequent and severe infections, with many of these infections being polymicrobial. Polymicrobial infections are frequently observed in skin infections and in individuals with cystic fibrosis, as well as in indwelling device infections. Two bacteria frequently co-isolated from infections are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Several studies have examined the interactions between these microorganisms. The majority of these studies use in vitro model systems that cannot accurately replicate the microenvironment of diabetic infections. We employed a novel murine indwelling device model to examine interactions between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Our data show that competition between these bacteria results in reduced growth in a normal infection. In a diabetic infection, we observe increased growth of both microbes and more severe infection as both bacteria invade surrounding tissues. Our results demonstrate that diabetes changes the interaction between bacteria resulting in poor infection outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Genito
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin P. Darwitz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew A. Greenwald
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew C. Wolfgang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lance R. Thurlow
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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16
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Simanek KA, Schumacher ML, Mallery CP, Shen S, Li L, Paczkowski JE. Quorum-sensing synthase mutations re-calibrate autoinducer concentrations in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to enhance pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7986. [PMID: 38042853 PMCID: PMC10693556 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43702-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that controls virulence gene expression. Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates virulence via two synthase/transcription factor receptor pairs: LasI/R and RhlI/R. LasR is considered the master transcriptional regulator of quorum sensing, as it upregulates rhlI/R. However, clinical isolates often have inactivating mutations in lasR, while maintaining Rhl-dependent signaling. We sought to understand how quorum sensing progresses in isolates with lasR mutations, specifically via activation of RhlR. We find that clinical isolates with lasR inactivating mutations often harbor concurrent mutations in rhlI. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, we discover that strains lacking lasR overproduce the RhlI-synthesized autoinducer and that RhlI variants re-calibrate autoinducer concentrations to wild-type levels, restoring virulent phenotypes. These findings provide a mechanism for the plasticity of quorum sensing progression in an acute infection niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A Simanek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Megan L Schumacher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Caleb P Mallery
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Stella Shen
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA
| | - Lingyun Li
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA
| | - Jon E Paczkowski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA.
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA.
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17
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Weaver AA, Parmar D, Junker EA, Sweedler JV, Shrout JD. Differential Spreading of Rhamnolipid Congeners from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4914-4921. [PMID: 37878954 PMCID: PMC11107424 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Rhamnolipids are surfactants produced by many Pseudomonad bacteria, including the species Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These rhamnolipids are known to aid and enable numerous phenotypic traits that improve the survival of the bacteria that make them. These surfactants are also important for industrial products ranging from pharmaceuticals to cleaning supplies to cosmetics, to name a few. Rhamnolipids have structural diversity that leads to an array of congeners; however, little is known about the localization and distribution of these congeners in two-dimensional space. Differential distribution of congeners can reduce the uniformity of applications in industrial settings and create heterogeneity within biological communities. We examined the distribution patterns of combinations of rhamnolipids in commercially available mixtures, cell-free spent media, and colony biofilms using mass spectrometry. We found that even in the absence of cells, congeners exhibit different distribution patterns, leading to different rhamnolipid congener distributions on a surface. Congeners with shorter fatty acid chains were more centrally located, while longer chains were more heterogeneous and distally located. We found that congeners with similar structures can distribute differently. Within developing colony biofilms, we found rhamnolipid distribution patterns differed from cell-free environments, lacking simple trends noted in cell-free environments. Most strikingly, we found the distribution patterns of individual congeners in the colony biofilms to be diverse. We note that the congener distribution is far from homogeneous but composed of numerous local microenvironments of varied rhamnolipid congener composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail A. Weaver
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Dharmeshkumar Parmar
- Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Ella A. Junker
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Jonathan V. Sweedler
- Department of Chemistry and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Joshua D. Shrout
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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18
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Bayat M, Nahand JS, Farsad-Akhatr N, Memar MY. Bile effects on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis in cystic fibrosis patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22111. [PMID: 38034726 PMCID: PMC10685303 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) occurs in most cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and is the primary source of bile aspiration in the airway tract of CF individuals. Aspirated bile is associated with the severity of lung diseases and chronic inflammation caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the most common pathogen of CF respiratory tract infections. P. aeruginosa is equipped with several mechanisms to facilitate the infection process, including but not limited to the expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance, all of which are under the strong regulation of quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. By increasing the expression of lasI, rhlI, and pqsA-E, bile exposure directly impacts the QS network. An increase in psl expression and pyocyanin production can promote biofilm formation. Along with the loss of flagella and reduced swarming motility, GER-derived bile can repress the expression of genes involved in creating an acute infection, such as expression of Type Three Secretion (T3SS), hydrogen cyanide (hcnABC), amidase (amiR), and phenazine (phzA-E). Inversely, to cause persistent infection, bile exposure can increase the Type Six Secretion System (T6SS) and efflux pump expression, which can trigger resistance to antibiotics such as colistin, polymyxin B, and erythromycin. This review will discuss the influence of aspirated bile on the pathogenesis, resistance, and persistence of P. aeruginosa in CF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mobina Bayat
- Department of Plant, Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nader Farsad-Akhatr
- Department of Plant, Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yousef Memar
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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19
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Kim Y, Anburajan P, Kim H, Oh HS. Inhibiting Biofilm Formation via Simultaneous Application of Nitric Oxide and Quorum Quenching Bacteria. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:836. [PMID: 37888008 PMCID: PMC10608578 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Membrane biofouling is an inevitable challenge in membrane-based water treatment systems such as membrane bioreactors. Recent studies have shown that biological approaches based on bacterial signaling can effectively control biofilm formation. Quorum quenching (QQ) is known to inhibit biofilm growth by disrupting quorum sensing (QS) signaling, while nitric oxide (NO) signaling helps to disperse biofilms. In this study, batch biofilm experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of simultaneously applying NO signaling and QQ for biofilm control using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as a model microorganism. The NO treatment involved the injection of NONOates (NO donor compounds) into mature biofilms, while QQ was implemented by immobilizing QQ bacteria (Escherichia coli TOP10-AiiO or Rhodococcus sp. BH4) in alginate or polyvinyl alcohol/alginate beads to preserve the QQ activity. When QQ beads were applied together with (Z)-1-[N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(n-propyl) amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PAPA NONOate), they achieved a 39.0% to 71.3% reduction in biofilm formation, which was substantially higher compared to their individual applications (16.0% to 54.4%). These findings highlight the significant potential of combining QQ and NO technologies for effective biofilm control across a variety of processes that require enhanced biofilm inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youkyoung Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (P.A.); (H.K.)
| | - Parthiban Anburajan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (P.A.); (H.K.)
- Institute of Environmental Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeok Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (P.A.); (H.K.)
| | - Hyun-Suk Oh
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea; (Y.K.); (P.A.); (H.K.)
- Institute of Environmental Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul 01811, Republic of Korea
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20
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Zhang Y, Bhasme P, Reddy DS, Liu D, Yu Z, Zhao T, Zheng Y, Kumar A, Yu H, Ma LZ. Dual functions: A coumarin-chalcone conjugate inhibits cyclic-di-GMP and quorum-sensing signaling to reduce biofilm formation and virulence of pathogens. MLIFE 2023; 2:283-294. [PMID: 38817812 PMCID: PMC10989777 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance or tolerance of pathogens is one of the most serious global public health threats. Bacteria in biofilms show extreme tolerance to almost all antibiotic classes. Thus, use of antibiofilm drugs without bacterial-killing effects is one of the strategies to combat antibiotic tolerance. In this study, we discovered a coumarin-chalcone conjugate C9, which can inhibit the biofilm formation of three common pathogens that cause nosocomial infections, namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with the best antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa. Further investigations indicate that C9 decreases the synthesis of the key biofilm matrix exopolysaccharide Psl and bacterial second messenger cyclic-di-GMP. Meanwhile, C9 can interfere with the regulation of the quorum sensing (QS) system to reduce the virulence of P. aeruginosa. C9 treatment enhances the sensitivity of biofilm to several antibiotics and reduces the survival rate of P. aeruginosa under starvation or oxidative stress conditions, indicating its excellent potential for use as an antibiofilm-forming and anti-QS drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Pramod Bhasme
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Dinesh S. Reddy
- Centre for Nano and Material SciencesJain UniversityBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | - Dejian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Zhaoxiao Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tianhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yaqian Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Amit Kumar
- Centre for Nano and Material SciencesJain UniversityBangaloreKarnatakaIndia
| | - Haiying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Luyan Z. Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of MicrobiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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21
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Kauser A, Parisini E, Suarato G, Castagna R. Light-Based Anti-Biofilm and Antibacterial Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2106. [PMID: 37631320 PMCID: PMC10457815 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15082106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance pose significant challenges not only in clinical settings (i.e., implant-associated infections, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections) but also in industrial settings and in the environment, where the spreading of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is on the rise. Indeed, developing effective strategies to prevent biofilm formation and treat infections will be one of the major global challenges in the next few years. As traditional pharmacological treatments are becoming inadequate to curb this problem, a constant commitment to the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies is necessary. Light-triggered therapies have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional approaches due to their non-invasive nature, precise spatial and temporal control, and potential multifunctional properties. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different biofilm formation stages and the molecular mechanism of biofilm disruption, with a major focus on the quorum sensing machinery. Moreover, we highlight the principal guidelines for the development of light-responsive materials and photosensitive compounds. The synergistic effects of combining light-triggered therapies with conventional treatments are also discussed. Through elegant molecular and material design solutions, remarkable results have been achieved in the fight against biofilm formation and antibacterial resistance. However, further research and development in this field are essential to optimize therapeutic strategies and translate them into clinical and industrial applications, ultimately addressing the global challenges posed by biofilm and antimicrobial resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ambreen Kauser
- Department of Biotechnology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (E.P.)
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, Paula Valdena 3, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Emilio Parisini
- Department of Biotechnology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (E.P.)
- Department of Chemistry “G. Ciamician”, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Suarato
- Istituto di Elettronica e di Ingegneria dell’Informazione e delle Telecomunicazioni, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR-IEIIT, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Rossella Castagna
- Department of Biotechnology, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (E.P.)
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “G. Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
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22
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Perković I, Poljak T, Savijoki K, Varmanen P, Maravić-Vlahoviček G, Beus M, Kučević A, Džajić I, Rajić Z. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Quinoline and Anthranilic Acid Derivatives as Potential Quorum Sensing Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5866. [PMID: 37570836 PMCID: PMC10420644 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting quorum sensing (QS), a central communication system, is a promising strategy to combat bacterial pathogens without antibiotics. Here, we designed novel hybrid compounds targeting the PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal)-dependent quorum sensing (QS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is one of the multidrug-resistant and highly virulent pathogens with urgent need of new antibacterial strategies. We synthesized 12 compounds using standard procedures to combine halogen-substituted anthranilic acids with 4-(2-aminoethyl/4-aminobuthyl)amino-7-chloroquinoline, linked via 1,3,4-oxadiazole. Their antibiofilm activities were first pre-screened using Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum-based reporter, which identified compounds 15-19 and 23 with the highest anti-QS and minimal bactericidal effects in a single experiment. These five compounds were then evaluated against P. aeruginosa PAO1 to assess their ability to prevent biofilm formation, eradicate pre-formed biofilms, and inhibit virulence using pyocyanin as a representative marker. Compound 15 displayed the most potent antibiofilm effect, reducing biofilm formation by nearly 50% and pre-formed biofilm masses by 25%. On the other hand, compound 23 exhibited the most significant antivirulence effect, reducing pyocyanin synthesis by over 70%. Thus, our study highlights the potential of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 15 and 23 as promising scaffolds to combat P. aeruginosa. Additionally, interactive QS systems should be considered to achieve maximal anti-QS activity against this clinically relevant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Perković
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | | | - Kirsi Savijoki
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Pekka Varmanen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Gordana Maravić-Vlahoviček
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Maja Beus
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Anja Kučević
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Ivan Džajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
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23
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Condinho M, Carvalho B, Cruz A, Pinto SN, Arraiano CM, Pobre V. The role of RNA regulators, quorum sensing and c-di-GMP in bacterial biofilm formation. FEBS Open Bio 2023; 13:975-991. [PMID: 35234364 PMCID: PMC10240345 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms provide an ecological advantage against many environmental stressors, such as pH and temperature, making it the most common life-cycle stage for many bacteria. These protective characteristics make eradication of bacterial biofilms challenging. This is especially true in the health sector where biofilm formation on hospital or patient equipment, such as respirators, or catheters, can quickly become a source of anti-microbial resistant strains. Biofilms are complex structures encased in a self-produced polymeric matrix containing numerous components such as polysaccharides, proteins, signalling molecules, extracellular DNA and extracellular RNA. Biofilm formation is tightly controlled by several regulators, including quorum sensing (QS), cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs). These three regulators in particular are fundamental in all stages of biofilm formation; in addition, their pathways overlap, and the significance of their role is strain-dependent. Currently, ribonucleases are also of interest for their potential role as biofilm regulators, and their relationships with QS, c-di-GMP and sRNAs have been investigated. This review article will focus on these four biofilm regulators (ribonucleases, QS, c-di-GMP and sRNAs) and the relationships between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Condinho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Beatriz Carvalho
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Adriana Cruz
- iBB‐Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB)Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboaPortugal
- i4HB‐Institute for Health and BioeconomyInstituto Superior TécnicoLisboaPortugal
| | - Sandra N. Pinto
- iBB‐Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences (IBB)Instituto Superior TécnicoLisboaPortugal
- i4HB‐Institute for Health and BioeconomyInstituto Superior TécnicoLisboaPortugal
| | - Cecília M. Arraiano
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Vânia Pobre
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
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24
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Beg AZ, Rashid F, Talat A, Haseen MA, Raza N, Akhtar K, Dueholm MKD, Khan AU. Functional Amyloids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Are Essential for the Proteome Modulation That Leads to Pathoadaptation in Pulmonary Niches. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0307122. [PMID: 36475836 PMCID: PMC9927170 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03071-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistence and survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic lung infections is closely linked to the biofilm lifestyle. One biofilm component, functional amyloid of P. aeruginosa (Fap), imparts structural adaptations for biofilms; however, the role of Fap in pathogenesis is still unclear. Conservation of the fap operon encoding Fap and P. aeruginosa being an opportunistic pathogen of lung infections prompted us to explore its role in lung infection. We found that Fap is essential for establishment of lung infection in rats, as its genetic exclusion led to mild focal infection with quick resolution. Moreover, without an underlying cystic fibrosis (CF) genetic disorder, overexpression of Fap reproduced the CF pathotype. The molecular basis of Fap-mediated pulmonary adaptation was explored through surface-associated proteomics in vitro. Differential proteomics positively associated Fap expression with activation of known proteins related to pulmonary pathoadaptation, attachment, and biofilm fitness. The aggregative bacterial phenotype in the pulmonary niche correlated with Fap-influenced activation of biofilm sustainability regulators and stress response regulators that favored persistence-mediated establishment of pulmonary infection. Fap overexpression upregulated proteins that are abundant in the proteome of P. aeruginosa in colonizing CF lungs. Planktonic lifestyle, defects in anaerobic pathway, and neutrophilic evasion were key factors in the absence of Fap that impaired establishment of infection. We concluded that Fap is essential for cellular equilibration to establish pulmonary infection. Amyloid-induced bacterial aggregation subverted the immune response, leading to chronic infection by collaterally damaging tissue and reinforcing bacterial persistence. IMPORTANCE Pseudomonas aeruginosa is inextricably linked with chronic lung infections. In this study, the well-conserved Fap operon was found to be essential for pathoadaptation in pulmonary infection in a rat lung model. Moreover, the presence of Fap increased pathogenesis and biofilm sustainability by modulating bacterial physiology. Hence, a pathoadaptive role of Fap in pulmonary infections can be exploited for clinical application by targeting amyloids. Furthermore, genetic conservation and extracellular exposure of Fap make it a commendable target for such interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Z. Beg
- Medical Microbiology Lab, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Absar Talat
- Medical Microbiology Lab, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mohd Azam Haseen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Nadeem Raza
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Kafil Akhtar
- Pathology Department, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Morten Kam Dahl Dueholm
- Center for Microbial Communities, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Asad U. Khan
- Medical Microbiology Lab, Interdisciplinary Biotechnology Unit, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India
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25
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Li WR, Zeng TH, Zhang ZQ, Shi QS, Xie XB. Geraniol attenuates virulence factors by inhibiting quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1190619. [PMID: 37180245 PMCID: PMC10172488 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1190619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe respiratory tract infections. Geraniol, a chemical component of essential oils, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, along with low toxicity. However, the effect and mechanism of geraniol against P. aeruginosa virulence factors are rarely studied. In this study, we investigated the quorum sensing (QS) inhibitory effects and mechanisms of geraniol against P. aeruginosa PAO1, using physiological and biochemical techniques, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and transcriptomics. Geraniol slightly affected P. aeruginosa PAO1 growth, prolonged the lag phase, and delayed growth periods in a concentration-dependent manner. Geraniol inhibited three QS systems of P. aeruginosa, las, rhl, and pqs by suppressing the expression level of their key genes, including the three signal synthetase encoding genes of lasI, rhlI, and pqsABCDEH, and the corresponding signal receptor encoding genes of lasR, rhlR, and pqsR. Geraniol also suppressed certain virulence genes regulated by these three QS systems, including rhlABC, lasAB, lecAB, phzABMS, and pelABG, resulting in the attenuation of the related virulence factors, rhamnolipids, exoprotease LasA, elastase, lectin, pyocyanin, and biofilm. In conclusion, geraniol can suppress the virulence factors of P. aeruginosa PAO1 by inhibiting the three QS systems of las, rhl, and pqs. This study is significant for improving the treatment of bacterial infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
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26
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Juhas M. Communication Between Microorganisms. BRIEF LESSONS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2023:27-41. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-29544-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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27
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Bernabè G, Marzaro G, Di Pietra G, Otero A, Bellato M, Pauletto A, Scarpa M, Sut S, Chilin A, Dall’Acqua S, Brun P, Castagliuolo I. A novel phenolic derivative inhibits AHL-dependent quorum sensing signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:996871. [PMID: 36204236 PMCID: PMC9531014 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.996871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing antibiotic resistance and the decline in the pharmaceutical industry’s investments have amplified the need for novel treatments for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors reduce pathogens’ virulence without selective pressure on bacteria and provide an alternative to conventional antibiotic-based therapies. P. aeruginosa uses complex QS signaling to control virulence and biofilm formation. We aimed to identify inhibitors of P. aeruginosa QS acting on acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL)-mediated circuits. Bioluminescence and qRT-PCR assays were employed to screen a library of 81 small phenolic derivatives to reduce AHL-dependent signaling. We identified GM-50 as the most active compound inhibiting the expression of AHL-regulated genes but devoid of cytotoxic activity in human epithelial cells and biocidal effects on bacteria. GM-50 reduces virulence factors such as rhamnolipids, pyocyanin, elastase secretion, and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 laboratory strain. By molecular docking, we provide evidence that GM-50 highly interacts with RhlR. GM-50 significantly improved aztreonam-mediated biofilm disruption. Moreover, GM-50 prevents adhesion of PAO1 and inflammatory damage in the human A549 cell line and protects Galleria mellonella from PAO1-mediated killing. GM-50 significantly reduces virulence factors in 20 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from patients with respiratory tract infections. In conclusion, GM-50 inhibits AHL-signaling, reduces virulence factors, enhances the anti-biofilm activity of aztreonam, and protects G. mellonella larvae from damage induced by P. aeruginosa. Since GM-50 is active on clinical strains, it represents a starting point for identifying and developing new phenolic derivatives acting as QS-inhibitors in P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bernabè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Ana Otero
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Massimo Bellato
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anthony Pauletto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Melania Scarpa
- Laboratory of Advanced Translational Research, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Sut
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall’Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Brun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Brun,
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28
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Ahator SD, Sagar S, Zhu M, Wang J, Zhang LH. Nutrient Availability and Phage Exposure Alter the Quorum-Sensing and CRISPR-Cas-Controlled Population Dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. mSystems 2022; 7:e0009222. [PMID: 35699339 PMCID: PMC9426516 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00092-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) coordinates bacterial communication and cooperation essential for virulence and dominance in polymicrobial settings. QS also regulates the CRISPR-Cas system for targeted defense against parasitic genomes from phages and horizontal gene transfer. Although the QS and CRISPR-Cas systems are vital for bacterial survival, they undergo frequent selection in response to biotic and abiotic factors. Using the opportunistic Pseudomonas aeruginosa with well-established QS and CRISPR-Cas systems, we show how the social interactions between the acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-QS signal-blind mutants (ΔlasRrhlR) and the CRISPR-Cas mutants are affected by phage exposure and nutrient availability. We demonstrate that media conditions and phage exposure alter the resistance and relative fitness of ΔlasRrhlR and CRISPR-Cas mutants while tipping the fitness advantage in favor of the QS signal-blind mutants under nutrient-limiting conditions. We also show that the AHL signal-blind mutants are less selected by phages under QS-inducing conditions than the CRISPR-Cas mutants, whereas the mixed population of the CRISPR-Cas and AHL signal-blind mutants reduce phage infectivity, which can improve survival during phage exposure. Our data reveal that phage exposure and nutrient availability reshape the population dynamics between the ΔlasRrhlR QS mutants and CRISPR-Cas mutants, with key indications for cooperation and conflict between the strains. IMPORTANCE The increase in antimicrobial resistance has created the need for alternative interventions such as phage therapy. However, as previously observed with antimicrobial resistance, phage therapy will not be effective if bacteria evolve resistance and persist in the presence of the phages. The QS is commonly known as an arsenal for bacteria communication, virulence, and regulation of the phage defense mechanism, the CRISPR-Cas system. The QS and CRISPR-Cas systems are widespread in bacteria. However, they are known to evolve rapidly under the influence of biotic and abiotic factors in the bacterial environment, resulting in alteration in bacterial genotypes, which enhance phage resistance and fitness. We believe that adequate knowledge of the influence of environmental factors on the bacterial community lifestyle and phage defense mechanisms driven by the QS and CRISPR-Cas system is necessary for developing effective phage therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Dela Ahator
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS) & Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sadhanna Sagar
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minya Zhu
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhe Wang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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29
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Dubern JF, Romero M, Mai-Prochnow A, Messina M, Trampari E, Gijzel HNV, Chan KG, Carabelli AM, Barraud N, Lazenby J, Chen Y, Robertson S, Malone JG, Williams P, Heeb S, Cámara M. ToxR is a c-di-GMP binding protein that modulates surface-associated behaviour in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:64. [PMID: 35982053 PMCID: PMC9388670 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00325-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses multiple protein regulators that work in tandem to control the production of a wide range of virulence factors and facilitate rapid adaptation to diverse environmental conditions. In this opportunistic pathogen, ToxR was known to positively regulate the production of the major virulence factor exotoxin A and now, through analysis of genetic changes between two sublines of P. aeruginosa PAO1 and functional complementation of swarming, we have identified a previously unknown role of ToxR in surface-associated motility in P. aeruginosa. Further analysis revealed that ToxR had an impact on swarming motility by regulating the Rhl quorum sensing system and subsequent production of rhamnolipid surfactants. Additionally, ToxR was found to tightly bind cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and negatively affect traits controlled by this second messenger including reducing biofilm formation and the expression of Psl and Pel exopolysaccharides, necessary for attachment and sessile communities matrix scaffolding, in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, a link between the post-transcriptional regulator RsmA and toxR expression via the alternative sigma factor PvdS, induced under iron-limiting conditions, is established. This study reveals the importance of ToxR in a sophisticated regulation of free-living and biofilm-associated lifestyles, appropriate for establishing acute or chronic P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Frédéric Dubern
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Manuel Romero
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anne Mai-Prochnow
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marco Messina
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleftheria Trampari
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Hardeep Naghra-van Gijzel
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Genomic Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development, Stevenage, UK
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- International Genome Centre, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Alessandro M Carabelli
- School of Pharmacy, Boots Science Building, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicolas Barraud
- Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation, School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Genetics of Biofilms Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - James Lazenby
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Ye Chen
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Q Squared Solutions, Crystal Plaza, Pudong, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaun Robertson
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jacob G Malone
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Paul Williams
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stephan Heeb
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Miguel Cámara
- National Biofilms Innovation Centre, Biodiscovery Institute and School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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30
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Cook J, Hui JPM, Zhang J, Kember M, Berrué F, Zhang J, Cheng Z. Production of quorum sensing-related metabolites and phytoalexins during Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Brassica napus interaction. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168:001212. [PMID: 35980361 PMCID: PMC11449044 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that has been shown to interact with many organisms throughout the domains of life, including plants. How this broad-host-range bacterium interacts with each of its diverse hosts, especially the metabolites that mediate these interactions, is not completely known. In this work, we used a liquid culture root infection system to collect plant and bacterial metabolites on days 1, 3 and 5 post-P. aeruginosa (strain PA14) infection of the oilseed plant, canola (Brassica napus). Using MS-based metabolomics approaches, we identified the overproduction of quorum sensing (QS)-related (both signalling molecules and regulated products) metabolites by P. aeruginosa while interacting with canola plants. However, the P. aeruginosa infection induced the production of several phytoalexins, which is a part of the hallmark plant defence response to microbes. The QS system of PA14 appears to only mediate part of the canola-P. aeruginosa metabolomic interactions, as the use of isogenic mutant strains of each of the three QS signalling branches did not significantly affect the induction of the phytoalexin brassilexin, while induction of spirobrassinin was significantly decreased. Interestingly, a treatment of purified QS molecules in the absence of bacteria was not able to induce any phytoalexin production, suggesting that active bacterial colonization is required for eliciting phytoalexin production. Furthermore, we identified that brassilexin, the only commercially available phytoalexin that was detected in this study, demonstrated a MIC of 400 µg ml-1 against P. aeruginosa PA14. The production of phytoalexins can be an effective component of canola innate immunity to keep potential infections by the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa at bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Joseph P. M. Hui
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Janie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michaela Kember
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Fabrice Berrué
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Junzeng Zhang
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Zhenyu Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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31
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Zhang Y, Wang L, Chen L, Zhu P, Huang N, Chen T, Chen L, Wang Z, Liao W, Cao J, Zhou T. Novel Insight of Transcription Factor PtrA on Pathogenicity and Carbapenems Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:4213-4227. [PMID: 35959145 PMCID: PMC9359796 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s371597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingbo Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liqiong Chen
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peiwu Zhu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhongyong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenli Liao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianming Cao
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Jianming Cao, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-577-88069595, Email
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Tieli Zhou, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325035, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-577-8668-9885, Email
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32
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Zeng YX, Liu JS, Wang YJ, Tang S, Wang DY, Deng SM, Jia AQ. Actinomycin D: a novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing inhibitor from the endophyte Streptomyces cyaneochromogenes RC1. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 38:170. [PMID: 35904625 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-022-03360-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
The infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are difficult to treat due to its multidrug resistance. A promising strategy for controlling P. aeruginosa infection is targeting the quorum sensing (QS) system. Actinomycin D isolated from the metabolite of endophyte Streptomyces cyaneochromogenes RC1 exhibited good anti-QS activity against P. aeruginosa PAO1. Actinomycin D (50, 100, and 200 μg/mL) significantly inhibited the motility as well as reduced the production of multiple virulence factors including pyocyanin, protease, rhamnolipid, and siderophores. The images of confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the treatment of actinomycin D resulted in a looser and flatter biofilm structure. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that the expression of QS-related genes lasI, rhlI, rhlR, pqsR, pslA, and pilA were downregulated dramatically. The production of QS signaling molecules N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone and N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone were also decreased by actinomycin D. These findings suggest that actinomycin D, a potent in vitro anti-virulence agent, is a promising candidate to treat P. aeruginosa infection by interfering with the QS systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Xiang Zeng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Jun-Sheng Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Ying-Jie Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Shi Tang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Da-Yong Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Shi-Ming Deng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Ai-Qun Jia
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China. .,One Health Institute, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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33
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Choi HY, Le DD, Kim WG. Curvularin Isolated From Phoma macrostoma Is an Antagonist of RhlR Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:913882. [PMID: 35903467 PMCID: PMC9315252 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.913882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is an attractive target for the treatment of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, against which new antibiotics are urgently needed. Because LasR is at the top of the QS hierarchy controlling Rhl and PQS systems, most QS inhibitors have been targeted to LasR. However, it has recently been reported that in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, LasR is frequently mutated and nonfunctional, and RhlR independently acts to produce virulent factors that maintain toxicity. Thus, for effective treatment of chronic cystic fibrosis infections, RhlR antagonists is needed to prevent the LasR-independent Rhl system, but RhlR antagonists have rarely been reported. In this study, we found that curvularin, an aromatic compound with a cyclized alkyl side chain isolated from Phoma macrostoma, at a low micromolar concentration of 1–30 μM potently and selectively inhibited pyocyanin and rhamnolipid production without affecting the cell viability of P. aeruginosa. Only high concentration (more over 100 μM) curvularin negligibly inhibited biofilm formation and elastase production, suggesting that curvularin at low concentrations selectively inhibits RhlR. The QS antagonism by curvularin was investigated in experiments using QS competition and signaling molecules assays with QS gene expression analysis, and the results showed that, indeed, at low concentrations, curvularin selectively antagonized RhlR; in contrast, it negligibly antagonized LasR only when applied at a high concentration. The exclusive RhlR antagonizing activity of curvularin at low concentrations was confirmed using QS mutants; specifically, curvularin at low concentrations inhibited pyocyanin and rhamnolipid production by selectively antagonizing N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (BHL)-activated RhlR. Moreover, by targeting RhlR, curvularin reduced the in vivo virulence of wild-type P. aeruginosa as well as lasR mutants in Caenorhabditis elegans. Overall, low-concentration curvularin is a pure RhlR antagonist in P. aeruginosa, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing an RhlR antagonist from natural resources. Hence, curvularin has great potential for the development of chronic P. aeruginosa infection therapeutics and for the study of RhlR function in the complex QS system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha-Young Choi
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Bio-Molecular Science, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Duc Dat Le
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Won-Gon Kim
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Bio-Molecular Science, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Won-Gon Kim,
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34
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Current Advances in the Concept of Quorum Sensing-Based Prevention of Spoilage of Fish Products by Pseudomonads. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12136719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Microbial spoilage of fish is attributed to quorum sensing (QS)-based activities. QS is a communication process between the cells in which microorganisms secrete and sense the specific chemicals (autoinductors, AIs) that regulate proteolysis, lipolysis, and biofilm formation. These activities change the organoleptic characteristics and reduce the safety of the products. Although the microbial community of fish is diverse and may consist of a range of bacterial strains, the deterioration of fish-based products is attributed to the growth and activity of Pseudomonas spp. This work summarizes recent advancements to assess the influence of QS mechanisms on seafood spoilage by Pseudomonas spp. The quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) in the context of fish preservation has also been discussed. Detailed recognition of this phenomenon is crucial in establishing effective strategies to prevent the premature deterioration of fish-based products.
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35
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Letizia M, Mellini M, Fortuna A, Visca P, Imperi F, Leoni L, Rampioni G. PqsE Expands and Differentially Modulates the RhlR Quorum Sensing Regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0096122. [PMID: 35604161 PMCID: PMC9241726 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00961-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, many virulence traits are finely regulated by quorum sensing (QS), an intercellular communication system that allows the cells of a population to coordinate gene expression in response to cell density. The key aspects underlying the functionality of the complex regulatory network governing QS in P. aeruginosa are still poorly understood, including the interplay between the effector protein PqsE and the transcriptional regulator RhlR in controlling the QS regulon. Different studies have focused on the characterization of PqsE- and RhlR-controlled genes in genetic backgrounds in which RhlR activity can be modulated by PqsE and pqsE expression is controlled by RhlR, thus hampering identification of the distinct regulons controlled by PqsE and RhlR. In this study, a P. aeruginosa PAO1 mutant strain with deletion of multiple QS elements and inducible expression of pqsE and/or rhlR was generated and validated. Transcriptomic analyses performed on this genetic background allowed us to unambiguously define the regulons controlled by PqsE and RhlR when produced alone or in combination. Transcriptomic data were validated via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and transcriptional fusions. Overall, our results showed that PqsE has a negligible effect on the P. aeruginosa transcriptome in the absence of RhlR, and that multiple RhlR subregulons exist with distinct dependency on PqsE. Overall, this study contributes to untangling the regulatory link between the pqs and rhl QS systems mediated by PqsE and RhlR and clarifying the impact of these QS elements on the P. aeruginosa transcriptome. IMPORTANCE The ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cause difficult-to-treat infections relies on its capacity to fine-tune the expression of multiple virulence traits via the las, rhl, and pqs QS systems. Both the pqs effector protein PqsE and the rhl transcriptional regulator RhlR are required for full production of key virulence factors in vitro and pathogenicity in vivo. While it is known that PqsE can stimulate the ability of RhlR to control some virulence factors, no data are available to allow clear discrimination of the PqsE and RhlR regulons. The data produced in this study demonstrate that PqsE mainly impacts the P. aeruginosa transcriptome via an RhlR-dependent pathway and splits the RhlR regulon into PqsE-dependent and PqsE-independent subregulons. Besides contributing to untangling of the complex QS network of P. aeruginosa, our data confirm that both PqsE and RhlR are suitable targets for the development of antivirulence drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Mellini
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Visca
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Imperi
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Livia Leoni
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Giordano Rampioni
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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36
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Resistance Is Not Futile: The Role of Quorum Sensing Plasticity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections and Its Link to Intrinsic Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10061247. [PMID: 35744765 PMCID: PMC9228389 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10061247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the group-wide detection of extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers (AI). Quorum sensing is required for virulence and biofilm formation in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In P. aeruginosa, LasR and RhlR are homologous LuxR-type soluble transcription factor receptors that bind their cognate AIs and activate the expression of genes encoding functions required for virulence and biofilm formation. While some bacterial signal transduction pathways follow a linear circuit, as phosphoryl groups are passed from one carrier protein to another ultimately resulting in up- or down-regulation of target genes, the QS system in P. aeruginosa is a dense network of receptors and regulators with interconnecting regulatory systems and outputs. Once activated, it is not understood how LasR and RhlR establish their signaling hierarchy, nor is it clear how these pathway connections are regulated, resulting in chronic infection. Here, we reviewed the mechanisms of QS progression as it relates to bacterial pathogenesis and antimicrobial resistance and tolerance.
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37
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Subinhibitory Cefotaxime and Levofloxacin Concentrations Contribute to Selection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Coculture with Staphylococcus aureus. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0059222. [PMID: 35638844 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00592-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial species in the polymicrobial community evolve interspecific interaction relationships to adapt to the survival stresses imposed by neighbors or environmental cues. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are two common bacterial pathogens frequently coisolated from patients with burns and respiratory disease. Whether the application of commonly used antibiotics influences the interaction dynamics of the two species still remains largely unexplored. By performing a series of on-plate competition assays and RNA sequencing-based transcriptional profiling, we showed that the presence of the cephalosporin antibiotic cefotaxime or the quinolone antibiotic levofloxacin at subinhibitory concentration contributes to selecting P. aeruginosa from the coculture with S. aureus by modulating the quorum-sensing (QS) system of P. aeruginosa. Specifically, a subinhibitory concentration of cefotaxime promotes the growth suppression of S. aureus by P. aeruginosa in coculture. This process may be related to the increased production of the antistaphylococcal molecule pyocyanin and the expression of lasR, which is the central regulatory gene of the P. aeruginosa QS hierarchy. On the other hand, subinhibitory concentrations of levofloxacin decrease the competitive advantage of P. aeruginosa over S. aureus by inhibiting the growth and the las QS system of P. aeruginosa. However, pqs signaling of P. aeruginosa can be activated instead to overcome S. aureus. Therefore, this study contributes to understanding the interaction dynamics of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus during antibiotic treatment and provides an important basis for studying the pathogenesis of polymicrobial infections. IMPORTANCE Increasing evidence has demonstrated the polymicrobial characteristics of most chronic infections, and the frequent communications among bacterial pathogens result in many difficulties for clinical therapy. Exploring bacterial interspecific interaction during antibiotic treatment is an emerging endeavor that may facilitate the understanding of polymicrobial infections and the optimization of clinical therapies. Here, we investigated the interaction of cocultured P. aeruginosa and S. aureus with the intervention of commonly used antibiotics in clinic. We found that the application of subinhibitory concentrations of cefotaxime and levofloxacin can select P. aeruginosa in coculture with S. aureus by modulating P. aeruginosa QS regulation to enhance the production of antistaphylococcal metabolites in different ways. This study emphasizes the role of the QS system in the interaction of P. aeruginosa with other bacterial species and provides an explanation for the persistence and enrichment of P. aeruginosa in patients after antibiotic treatment and a reference for further clinical therapy.
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38
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Huang XH, She MT, Zhang YH, Liu YF, Zhong DX, Zhang YH, Zheng JX, Sun N, Wong WL, Lu YJ. Novel quinoline-based derivatives as the PqsR inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. J Appl Microbiol 2022; 133:2167-2181. [PMID: 35490292 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The emerging of drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a critical challenge and renders an urgent action to discover innovative antimicrobial interventions. One of these interventions is to disrupt the pseudomonas quinolone signal (pqs) quorum sensing (QS) system, which governs multiple virulence traits and biofilm formation. This study aimed to investigate the QS inhibitory activity of a series of new PqsR inhibitors bearing a quinoline scaffold against Ps. aeruginosa. METHODS AND RESULTS The results showed that compound 1 suppressed the expression of QS-related genes and showed the best inhibitory activity to the pqs system of wild-type Ps. aeruginosa PAO1 with an IC50 of 20.22 μmol l-1 . The virulence factors including pyocyanin, total protease, elastase, and rhamnolipid were significantly suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner with the compound. In addition, 1 in combination with tetracycline inhibited synergistically the bacterial growth and suppressed the biofilm formation of PAO1. The molecular docking studies also suggested that 1 could potentially interact with the ligand-binding domain of the Lys-R type transcriptional regulator PqsR as a competitive antagonist. CONCLUSIONS The quinoline-based derivatives were found to interrupt the quorum sensing system via the pqs pathway and thus the production of virulence factors was inhibited and the antimicrobial susceptibility of Ps. aeruginosa was enhanced. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY The study showed that the quinoline-based derivatives could be used as an anti-virulence agent for treating Ps. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan-He Huang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Meng-Ting She
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Hang Zhang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Fu Liu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Xiao Zhong
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yi-Han Zhang
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jun-Xia Zheng
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ning Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China.,Guangzhou First People's Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China
| | - Wing-Leung Wong
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Yu-Jing Lu
- School of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, P. R. China.,Engineering Research Academy of High Value Utilization of Green Plants, Meizhou, P. R. China.,Golden Health (Guangdong) Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Foshan, P. R. China
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39
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Jiang K, Xu Y, Yuan B, Yue Y, Zhao M, Luo R, Wu H, Wang L, Zhang Y, Xiao J, Lin F. Effect of Autoinducer-2 Quorum Sensing Inhibitor on Interspecies Quorum Sensing. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:791802. [PMID: 35418956 PMCID: PMC8996156 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.791802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial drug resistance caused by overuse and misuse of antibiotics is common, especially in clinical multispecies infections. It is of great significance to discover novel agents to treat clinical bacterial infections. Studies have demonstrated that autoinducer-2 (AI-2), a signal molecule in quorum sensing (QS), plays an important role in communication among multiple bacterial species and bacterial drug-resistance. Previously, 14 AI-2 inhibited compounds were selected through virtual screening by using the AI-2 receptor protein LuxP as a target. Here, we used Vibrio harveyi BB170 as a reporter strain for the preliminary screening of 14 inhibitors and compound Str7410 had higher AI-2 QS inhibition activity (IC50 = 0.3724 ± 0.1091 μM). Then, co-culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 with Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was used to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Str7410 on multispecies infection in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, Str7410 significantly inhibited the formation of mixed bacterial biofilms. Meanwhile, the combination of Str7410 with meropenem trihydrate (MEPM) significantly improved the susceptibility of mixed-species-biofilm cells to the antibiotic. In vivo, Str7410 significantly increased the survival rate of wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans N2 co-infected by P. aeruginosa PAO1 and S. aureus ATCC 25923. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that Str7410 reduced virulence factor (pyocyanin and elastase) production and swarming motility of P. aeruginosa PAO1 by downregulating the expression of QS-related genes in strain PAO1 in co-culture with S. aureus ATCC 25923. Compound Str7410 is a candidate agent for treating drug-resistant multispecies infections. The work described here provides a strategy for discovering novel antibacterial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yijie Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.,No. 971 Hospital of People's Liberation Army Navy, Qingdao, China
| | - Yuandong Yue
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Meihua Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Rui Luo
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Hao Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junhai Xiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Strategic Drugs, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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40
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Phage Infection Restores PQS Signaling and Enhances Growth of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa lasI Quorum-Sensing Mutant. J Bacteriol 2022; 204:e0055721. [PMID: 35389255 PMCID: PMC9112912 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00557-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical communication between bacteria and between bacteria and the bacteriophage (phage) viruses that prey on them can shape the outcomes of phage-bacterial encounters. Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial cell-to-cell communication process that promotes collective undertaking of group behaviors. QS relies on the production, release, accumulation, and detection of signal molecules called autoinducers. Phages can exploit QS-mediated communication to manipulate their hosts and maximize their own survival. In the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the LasI/R QS system induces the RhlI/R QS system, and in opposing manners, these two systems control the QS system that relies on the autoinducer called PQS. A P. aeruginosa ΔlasI mutant is impaired in PQS synthesis, leading to accumulation of the precursor molecule HHQ, and HHQ suppresses growth of the P. aeruginosa ΔlasI strain. We show that, in response to a phage infection, the P. aeruginosa ΔlasI mutant reactivates QS, which, in turn, restores pqsH expression, enabling conversion of HHQ into PQS. Moreover, downstream QS target genes encoding virulence factors are induced. Additionally, phage-infected P. aeruginosa ΔlasI cells transiently exhibit superior growth compared to uninfected cells. IMPORTANCE Clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa frequently harbor mutations in particular QS genes. Here, we show that infection by select temperate phages restores QS, a cell-to-cell communication mechanism in a P. aeruginosa QS mutant. Restoration of QS increases expression of genes encoding virulence factors. Thus, phage infection of select P. aeruginosa strains may increase bacterial pathogenicity, underscoring the importance of characterizing phage-host interactions in the context of bacterial mutants that are relevant in clinical settings.
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Arif SM, Floto RA, Blundell TL. Using Structure-guided Fragment-Based Drug Discovery to Target Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections in Cystic Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:857000. [PMID: 35433835 PMCID: PMC9006449 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.857000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is progressive genetic disease that predisposes lungs and other organs to multiple long-lasting microbial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most prevalent and deadly pathogen among these microbes. Lung function of CF patients worsens following chronic infections with P. aeruginosa and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Emergence of multidrug-resistant, extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa due to intrinsic and adaptive antibiotic resistance mechanisms has failed the current anti-pseudomonal antibiotics. Hence new antibacterials are urgently needed to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Structure-guided fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) is a powerful approach in the field of drug development that has succeeded in delivering six FDA approved drugs over the past 20 years targeting a variety of biological molecules. However, FBDD has not been widely used in the development of anti-pseudomonal molecules. In this review, we first give a brief overview of our structure-guided FBDD pipeline and then give a detailed account of FBDD campaigns to combat P. aeruginosa infections by developing small molecules having either bactericidal or anti-virulence properties. We conclude with a brief overview of the FBDD efforts in our lab at the University of Cambridge towards targeting P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Andres Floto
- Molecular Immunity Unit, Department of Medicine University of Cambridge, MRC-Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridge Centre for Lung Infection, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tom L. Blundell
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Tom L. Blundell,
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Chen J, Zhang H, Wang S, Du Y, Wei B, Wu Q, Wang H. Inhibitors of Bacterial Extracellular Vesicles. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:835058. [PMID: 35283837 PMCID: PMC8905621 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.835058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria can secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), which contain numerous active substances. EVs mediate bacterial interactions with their hosts or other microbes. Bacterial EVs play a double-edged role in infections through various mechanisms, including the delivery of virulence factors, modulating immune responses, mediating antibiotic resistance, and inhibiting competitive microbes. The spread of antibiotic resistance continues to represent a difficult clinical challenge. Therefore, the investigation of novel therapeutics is a valuable research endeavor for targeting antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. As a pathogenic substance of bacteria, bacterial EVs have gained increased attention. Thus, EV inhibitors are expected to function as novel antimicrobial agents. The inhibition of EV production, EV activity, and EV-stimulated inflammation are considered potential pathways. This review primarily introduces compounds that effectively inhibit bacterial EVs and evaluates the prospects of their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianwei Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Hongfang Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siqi Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Du
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Wei
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Hong Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science and Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Marine Fishery Resources Exploitment and Utilization of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
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Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen of humans with hundreds of its virulence factors regulated by quorum sensing (QS) system. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) are also key regulators of bacterial virulence. However, the QS regulatory sRNAs (Qrrs) that have been characterized in P. aeruginosa are still largely unknown. Here, sRNA AmiL (PA3366.1) in the amiEBCRS operon of PAO1 was identified as a novel Qrr by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). The expression of AmiL was negatively regulated by the las or rhl system, of which RhlR probably inhibited its transcription. AmiL deletion mutant and overexpressing strains were constructed in PAO1. Broad phenotypic changes were found, including reduced pyocyanin synthesis, elastase activity, biofilm formation, hemolytic activity, and cytotoxicity, as well as increased rhamnolipid production and swarming motility. AmiL appears to be a new regulator that influences diverse QS-mediated virulence. Furthermore, AmiL directly targeted PhzC, a key member of pyocyanin synthesis. AmiL also negatively regulated lasI expression in the early growth of PAO1, but predominantly increased rhlI expression and C4-HSL production in the middle and late stages. Therefore, a novel QS-sRNA signaling cascade of las/rhl (RhlR)-AmiL-PhzC/las/rhl was demonstrated, and it will help to shed new light on the virulence regulatory network of P. aeruginosa PAO1. IMPORTANCEP. aeruginosa is a common nosocomial pathogen that causes diverse opportunistic infections in humans. The virulence crucial for infection is mainly regulated by QS. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) involved in virulence regulation have also been identified in many bacteria. Recently, there is a growing interest in the new sRNA species, QS regulatory sRNAs (Qrrs). Understanding Qrrs-mediated regulation in P. aeruginosa virulence is therefore important to combat infection. In this study, a previously uncharacterized sRNA AmiL in PAO1 has been identified as a novel Qrr. It has been found to influence diverse QS-mediated virulence factors including pyocyanin, elastase, rhamnolipid, and hemolysin, as well as biofilm formation, swarming motility, and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, PhzC essential for pyocyanin synthesis was a direct target of AmiL. QS gene expression and C4-HSL production were also regulated by AmiL. This study provides insights into the roles of Qrr AmiL in modulating P. aeruginosa virulence.
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The PqsE-RhlR Interaction Regulates RhlR DNA Binding to Control Virulence Factor Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0210821. [PMID: 35019777 PMCID: PMC8754118 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02108-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes disease in immunocompromised individuals and individuals with underlying pulmonary disorders. P. aeruginosa virulence is controlled by quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell-cell communication mechanism that underpins transitions between individual and group behaviors. In P. aeruginosa, the PqsE enzyme and the QS receptor RhlR directly interact to control the expression of genes involved in virulence. Here, we show that three surface-exposed arginine residues on PqsE comprise the site required for interaction with RhlR. We show that a noninteracting PqsE variant [PqsE(NI)] possesses catalytic activity, but is incapable of promoting virulence phenotypes, indicating that interaction with RhlR, and not catalysis, drives these PqsE-dependent behaviors. Biochemical characterization of the PqsE-RhlR interaction coupled with RNA-seq analyses demonstrates that the PqsE-RhlR complex increases the affinity of RhlR for DNA, enabling enhanced expression of genes encoding key virulence factors. These findings provide the mechanism for PqsE-dependent regulation of RhlR and identify a unique regulatory feature of P. aeruginosa QS and its connection to virulence. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the group-wide detection of molecules called autoinducers (AI). QS is required for virulence in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause fatal infections in patients with underlying pulmonary disorders. In this study, we determine the molecular basis for the physical interaction between two virulence-driving QS components, PqsE and RhlR. We find that the ability of PqsE to bind RhlR correlates with virulence factor production. Since current antimicrobial therapies exacerbate the growing antibiotic resistance problem because they target bacterial growth, we suggest that the PqsE-RhlR interface discovered here represents a new candidate for targeting with small molecule inhibition. Therapeutics that disrupt the PqsE-RhlR interaction should suppress virulence. Targeting bacterial behaviors such as QS, rather than bacterial growth, represents an attractive alternative for exploration because such therapies could potentially minimize the development of resistance.
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Jeske A, Arce-Rodriguez A, Thöming JG, Tomasch J, Häussler S. Evolution of biofilm-adapted gene expression profiles in lasR-deficient clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:6. [PMID: 35165270 PMCID: PMC8844440 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00268-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The overall success of a pathogenic microbe depends on its ability to efficiently adapt to challenging conditions in the human host. Long-term evolution experiments track and predict adaptive trajectories and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the driving forces of bacterial adaptation. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study instead of long-term longitudinal evolution experiments. We analyzed the transcriptional profiles as well as genomic sequence variations of a large number of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that have been recovered from different infected human sites. Convergent changes in gene expression patterns were found in different groups of clinical isolates. The majority of repeatedly observed expression patterns could be attributed to a defective lasR gene, which encodes the major quorum-sensing regulator LasR. Strikingly, the gene expression pattern of the lasR-defective strains appeared to reflect a transcriptional response that evolves in a direction consistent with growth within a biofilm. In a process of genetic assimilation, lasR-deficient P. aeruginosa isolates appear to constitutively express a biofilm-adapted transcriptional profile and no longer require a respective environmental trigger. Our results demonstrate that profiling the functional consequences of pathoadaptive mutations in clinical isolates reveals long-term evolutionary pathways and may explain the success of lasR mutants in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jeske
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alejandro Arce-Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
| | - Janne G Thöming
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jürgen Tomasch
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susanne Häussler
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, 30265, Hannover, Germany.
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Tajani AS, Soheili V, Moosavi F, Ghodsi R, Alizadeh T, Fazly Bazzaz BS. Ultra selective and high-capacity dummy template molecular imprinted polymer to control quorum sensing and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Anal Chim Acta 2022; 1199:339574. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2022.339574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Zhao Z, Wang L, Miao J, Zhang Z, Ruan J, Xu L, Guo H, Zhang M, Qiao W. Regulation of the formation and structure of biofilms by quorum sensing signal molecules packaged in outer membrane vesicles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151403. [PMID: 34742801 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing signal molecules can be used to regulate the formation of biofilm, but it has not been reported that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can package and mediate signal molecules to regulate biofilm. We isolated and purified OMVs packaged with Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) released by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and studied the effects of OMV-mediated PQS on the formation and structure of biofilms. OMV-mediated PQS promoted the growth of biofilm, and the cells in the biofilm were stretched, deformed and "bridged" with the surrounding cells. Raman spectrometry showed that the structure and components of the extracellular polymeric substances of P. aeruginosa changed; moreover extracellular proteins rather than polysaccharides played the dominant role in the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms when regulated by OMV-mediated PQS. In the combination biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, the mediation of OMVs enhanced the inhibitory effect of PQS to the growth of S. aureus, resulting a decrease in EPS produced by the two bacteria. OMV-mediated PQS led to changes in the biodiversity, richness and structure of the microbial community in biofilms formed by active sludge. This work reveals the mechanism of OMVs mediated signal molecules regulating biofilm, which lays a new theoretical and practical foundation for guiding the operation of low-level of biofouling MBRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenqing Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Lianjie Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Jiahui Miao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Ziyan Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Jingqi Ruan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Lijie Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - He Guo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Weichuan Qiao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
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Cheng X, Lu M, Qiu H, Li Y, Huang L, Dai W. Spontaneous quorum-sensing hierarchy reprogramming in Pseudomonas aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1. AMB Express 2022; 12:6. [PMID: 35083573 PMCID: PMC8792115 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-022-01344-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 has been commonly used in the laboratory, with frequent genome variations reported. Quorum sensing (QS), a cell–cell communication system, plays important role in controlling a variety of virulence factors. However, the evolution and adaptability of QS in those laboratory strains are still poorly understood. Here we used the QS reporter and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to systematically investigate the QS phenotypes and corresponding genetic basis in collected laboratory PAO1 strains. We found that the PAO1-z strain has an inactive LasR protein, while bearing an active Rhl QS system and exhibiting QS-controlled protease-positive activity. Our study revealed that an 18-bp insertion in mexT gene gave rise to the active QS system in the PAO1-z strain. This MexT inactivation restored the QS activity caused by the inactive LasR, showing elevated production of pyocyanin, cyanide and elastase. Our results implied the evolutionary trajectory for the PAO1-z strain, with the evulutionary order from the first Las QS inactivation to the final Rhl QS activation. Our findings point out that QS homeostasis occurs in the laboratory P. aeruginosa strain, offering a potential platform for the QS study in clinical isolates.
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Dong L, Sun L, Hu X, Nie T, Pang J, Wang X, Yang X, Li C, Yao K, Zhang Y, You X. Ostarine attenuates pyocyanin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by interfering with quorum sensing systems. J Antibiot (Tokyo) 2021; 74:863-873. [PMID: 34480092 DOI: 10.1038/s41429-021-00469-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has been an increasingly serious threat to global public health. Anti-virulence strategies are being developed to manage antibiotic resistance because they apply a lower selective pressure for antimicrobial-resistant pathogens than that created using traditional bactericides. We aimed to discover novel small molecules that can reduce the production of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and determine the mechanism of action underlying these effects. A clinical compound library was screened, and ostarine was identified as a potential anti-virulence agent. The effects of ostarine were studied via antimicrobial susceptibility testing, bacterial growth assays, pyocyanin quantitation assays, transcriptomic analysis, quorum sensing signal molecule quantification, and real-time PCR assays. Ostarine treatment significantly decreased the synthesis of pyocyanin without any bactericidal action. Besides, ostarine treatment did not affect the relative growth rate and cell morphology of bacteria. Treatment with ostarine interfered with quorum sensing by decreasing the transcription of genes associated with quorum sensing systems and the production of signalling molecules. The inhibition of ostarine on pyocyanin production and gene expression can be alleviated when signalling molecules were supplemented externally. Overall, ostarine may act as a novel anti-virulence agent that can attenuate P. aeruginosa pyocyanin by interfering with quorum sensing systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Limin Dong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Lang Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinxin Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Tongying Nie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Pang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiukun Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Congran Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Kaihu Yao
- Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Youwen Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuefu You
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Agents, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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Chadha J, Harjai K, Chhibber S. Repurposing phytochemicals as anti-virulent agents to attenuate quorum sensing-regulated virulence factors and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:1695-1718. [PMID: 34843159 PMCID: PMC9151347 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unregulated consumption and overexploitation of antibiotics have paved the way for emergence of antibiotic‐resistant strains and ‘superbugs’. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the opportunistic nosocomial pathogens causing devastating infections in clinical set‐ups globally. Its artillery equipped with diversified virulence elements, extensive antibiotic resistance and biofilms has made it a ‘hard‐to‐treat’ pathogen. The pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa is modulated by an intricate cell density‐dependent mechanism called quorum sensing (QS). The virulence artillery of P. aeruginosa is firmly controlled by QS genes, and their expression drives the aggressiveness of the infection. Attempts to identify and develop novel antimicrobials have seen a sharp rise in the past decade. Among different proposed mechanisms, a novel anti‐virulence approach to target pseudomonal infections by virtue of anti‐QS and anti‐biofilm drugs appears to occupy the centre stage. In this respect, bioactive phytochemicals have gained prominence among the scientific community owing to their significant quorum quenching (QQ) properties. Recent studies have shed light on the QQ activities of various phytochemicals and other drugs in perturbing the QS‐dependent virulence in P. aeruginosa. This review highlights the recent evidences that reinforce the application of plant bioactives for combating pseudomonal infections, their advantages and shortcomings in anti‐virulence therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jatin Chadha
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kusum Harjai
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjay Chhibber
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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