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D’Aquila P, De Rose E, Sena G, Scorza A, Cretella B, Passarino G, Bellizzi D. Quorum Quenching Approaches against Bacterial-Biofilm-Induced Antibiotic Resistance. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:619. [PMID: 39061301 PMCID: PMC11273524 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070619] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
With the widespread phenomenon of antibiotic resistance and the diffusion of multiple drug-resistant bacterial strains, enormous efforts are being conducted to identify suitable alternative agents against pathogenic microorganisms. Since an association between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance phenotype has been observed, a promising strategy pursued in recent years focuses on controlling and preventing this formation by targeting and inhibiting the Quorum Sensing (QS) system, whose central role in biofilm has been extensively demonstrated. Therefore, the research and development of Quorum Quenching (QQ) compounds, which inhibit QS, has gradually attracted the attention of researchers and has become a new strategy for controlling harmful microorganisms. Among these, a number of both natural and synthetic compounds have been progressively identified as able to interrupt the intercellular communication within a microbial community and the adhesion to a surface, thus disintegrating mature/preformed biofilms. This review describes the role played by QS in the formation of bacterial biofilms and then focuses on the mechanisms of different natural and synthetic QS inhibitors (QSIs) exhibiting promising antibiofilm ability against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and on their applications as biocontrol strategies in various fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia D’Aquila
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.D.); (E.D.R.); (G.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Elisabetta De Rose
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.D.); (E.D.R.); (G.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Giada Sena
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.D.); (E.D.R.); (G.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Angelo Scorza
- Villa Ermelinda, Progetto Terza Età, 88842 Cutro, Italy; (A.S.); (B.C.)
| | | | - Giuseppe Passarino
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.D.); (E.D.R.); (G.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Dina Bellizzi
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy; (P.D.); (E.D.R.); (G.S.); (G.P.)
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2
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Boo A, Toth T, Yu Q, Pfotenhauer A, Fields BD, Lenaghan SC, Stewart CN, Voigt CA. Synthetic microbe-to-plant communication channels. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1817. [PMID: 38418817 PMCID: PMC10901793 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45897-6] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Plants and microbes communicate to collaborate to stop pests, scavenge nutrients, and react to environmental change. Microbiota consisting of thousands of species interact with each other and plants using a large chemical language that is interpreted by complex regulatory networks. In this work, we develop modular interkingdom communication channels, enabling bacteria to convey environmental stimuli to plants. We introduce a "sender device" in Pseudomonas putida and Klebsiella pneumoniae, that produces the small molecule p-coumaroyl-homoserine lactone (pC-HSL) when the output of a sensor or circuit turns on. This molecule triggers a "receiver device" in the plant to activate gene expression. We validate this system in Arabidopsis thaliana and Solanum tuberosum (potato) grown hydroponically and in soil, demonstrating its modularity by swapping bacteria that process different stimuli, including IPTG, aTc and arsenic. Programmable communication channels between bacteria and plants will enable microbial sentinels to transmit information to crops and provide the building blocks for designing artificial consortia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Boo
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Tyler Toth
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Qiguo Yu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alexander Pfotenhauer
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Brandon D Fields
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Scott C Lenaghan
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Christopher A Voigt
- Department of Biological Engineering, Synthetic Biology Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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Ramírez-Trinidad Á, Martínez-Solano E, Tovar-Roman CE, García-Guerrero M, Rivera-Chávez JA, Hernández-Vázquez E. Synthesis, antibiofilm activity and molecular docking of N-acylhomoserine lactones containing cinammic moieties. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 98:129592. [PMID: 38101651 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2023.129592] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
We prepared a series of cinnamoyl-containing furanones by an affordable and short synthesis. The nineteen compounds hold a variety of substituents including electron-donating, electron-withdrawing, bulky and meta-substituted phenyls, as well as heterocyclic rings. Compounds showed antibiofilm activity in S. aureus, K. pneumoniae and, more pronounced, against P. aeruginosa. The disruption of quorum sensing (QS) was tested using the violacein test and molecular docking predicted the antagonism of LasR as a plausible mechanism of action. The trimethoxylated and diene derivatives showed the best antibiofilm and anti-QS properties, thus becoming candidates for further modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Ramírez-Trinidad
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Martínez-Solano
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico
| | - César E Tovar-Roman
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Mariana García-Guerrero
- Department of Natural Products, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico
| | - José A Rivera-Chávez
- Department of Natural Products, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Hernández-Vázquez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Chemistry Institute, UNAM. Circuito exterior S.N., Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, México, DF 04510, Mexico.
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Alasiri A, Soltane R, Taha MN, Abd El-Aleam RH, Alshehri F, Sayed AM. Bakuchiol inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa's quorum sensing-dependent biofilm formation by selectively inhibiting its transcriptional activator protein LasR. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 255:128025. [PMID: 37979739 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128025] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we characterized Bakuchiol (Bak) as a new potent quorum sensing (QS) inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Upon extensive in vitro investigations, Bak was found to suppress the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation (75.5 % inhibition) and its associated virulence factor e.g., pyocyanin and rhamnolipids (% of inhibition = 71.5 % and 66.9 %, respectively). Upon LuxR-type receptors assay, Bak was found to selectively inhibit P. aeruginosa's LasR in a dose-dependent manner. Further in-depth molecular investigations (e.g., sedimentation velocity and thermal shift assays) revealed that Bak destabilized LasR upon binding and disrupted its functioning quaternary structure (i.e., the functioning dimeric form). The subsequent modeling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations explained in more molecular detail how Bak interacts with LasR and how it can induce its dimeric form disruption. In conclusion, our study identified Bak as a potent and specific LasR antagonist that should be widely used as a chemical probe of QS in P. aeruginosa, offering new insights into LasR antagonism processes. The new findings shed light on the cryptic world of LuxR-type QS in this important opportunistic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlam Alasiri
- Department of Biology, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Raya Soltane
- Department of Biology, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mostafa N Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef, Egypt.
| | - Rehab H Abd El-Aleam
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information MTI, Cairo 11571, Egypt.
| | - Fatma Alshehri
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ahmed M Sayed
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni Suef, Egypt; Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Almaaqal University, 61014 Basra, Iraq.
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Soltane R, Alasiri A, Taha MN, Abd El-Aleam RH, Alghamdi KS, Ghareeb MA, Keshek DEG, Cardoso SM, Sayed AM. Norlobaridone Inhibits Quorum Sensing-Dependent Biofilm Formation and Some Virulence Factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Disrupting Its Transcriptional Activator Protein LasR Dimerization. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1573. [PMID: 38002255 PMCID: PMC10669572 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111573] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present study, norlobaridone (NBD) was isolated from Parmotrema and then evaluated as a new potent quorum sensing (QS) inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm development. This phenolic natural product was found to reduce P. aeruginosa biofilm formation (64.6% inhibition) and its related virulence factors, such as pyocyanin and rhamnolipids (% inhibition = 61.1% and 55%, respectively). In vitro assays inhibitory effects against a number of known LuxR-type receptors revealed that NBD was able to specifically block P. aeruginosa's LasR in a dose-dependent manner. Further molecular studies (e.g., sedimentation velocity and thermal shift assays) demonstrated that NBD destabilized LasR upon binding and damaged its functional quaternary structure (i.e., the functional dimeric form). The use of modelling and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations also allowed us to further understand its interaction with LasR, and how this can disrupt its dimeric form. Finally, our findings show that NBD is a powerful and specific LasR antagonist that should be widely employed as a chemical probe in QS of P. aeruginosa, providing new insights into LasR antagonism processes. The new discoveries shed light on the mysterious world of LuxR-type QS in this key opportunistic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raya Soltane
- Department of Basic Sciences, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahlam Alasiri
- Department of Basic Sciences, Adham University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mostafa N. Taha
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef 62764, Egypt;
| | - Rehab H. Abd El-Aleam
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo 11571, Egypt;
| | - Kawthar Saad Alghamdi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafar Al Batin 39511, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mosad A. Ghareeb
- Medicinal Chemistry Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute Kornaish El Nile, Warrak El-Hadar, Imbaba, P.O. Box 30, Giza 12411, Egypt;
| | - Doaa El-Ghareeb Keshek
- Department of Biology, Jumum College University, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia;
- Agriculture Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Agriculture Research Center, Giza 11571, Egypt
| | - Susana M. Cardoso
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Ahmed M. Sayed
- Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Nahda University, Beni-Suef 62513, Egypt
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Ballante F, Turkina MV, Ntzouni M, Magnusson KE, Vikström E. Modified N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone compounds abrogate Las-dependent quorum-sensing response in human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1264773. [PMID: 37908228 PMCID: PMC10613653 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1264773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a mode of cell-cell communication that bacteria use to sense population density and orchestrate collective behaviors. The common opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs QS to regulate a large set of genes involved in virulence and host-pathogen interactions. The Las circuit positioned on the top of the QS hierarchy in P. aeruginosa makes use of N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHLs) as signal molecules, like N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (3O-C12-HSL). Disabling QS circuits by certain small-molecule compounds, known as quorum-sensing inhibitors (QSIs), has been proposed as a strategy to attenuate bacterial pathogenicity. In this study, four new AHL analogs were designed by incorporating a tert-butoxycarbonyl Boc group in amide and β-keto (3-oxo) moiety. Compounds were evaluated on a molecular and phenotypic basis as a QSI using the screening strategy linked to the assignment of the Las QS system in P. aeruginosa. Using a LasR-based bioreporter, we found that the compounds decreased LasR-controlled light activity and competed efficiently with natural 3O-C12-HSL. The compounds reduced the production of the cognate 3O-C12-HSL and certain virulence traits, like total protease activity, elastase activity, pyocyanin production, and extracellular DNA release. Furthermore, a quantitative proteomic approach was used to study the effect of the compounds on QS-regulated extracellular proteins. Among the four compounds tested, one of them showed the most significant difference in the appearance of the 3O-C12-HSL-responsive reference proteins related to QS communication and virulence, i.e., a distinct activity as a QSI. Moreover, by combining experimental data with computational chemistry, we addressed the effect of LasR protein flexibility on docking precision and assessed the advantage of using a multi-conformational docking procedure for binding mode prediction of LasR modulators. Thus, the four new AHL compounds were tested for their interaction with the AHL-binding site in LasR to identify the key interferences with the activity of LasR. Our study provides further insight into molecular features that are required for small-molecule modulation of LasR-dependent QS communication in P. aeruginosa. This should facilitate rational design of the next generation of antivirulence tools to study and manipulate QS-controlled fitness in bacteria and, thereby, handle bacterial infections in a new way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavio Ballante
- Chemical Biology Consortium Sweden (CBCS), Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria V. Turkina
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Ntzouni
- Core Facility, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Karl-Eric Magnusson
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Elena Vikström
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Martínez-Cifuentes M, Soto-Tapia E, Linares-Pipón C, Bradshaw B, Valenzuela-Hormazabal P, Ramírez D, Muñoz-Torres P, Parra C. Design of β-Keto Esters with Antibacterial Activity: Synthesis, In Vitro Evaluation, and Theoretical Assessment of Their Reactivity and Quorum-Sensing Inhibition Capacity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1339. [PMID: 37895810 PMCID: PMC10610512 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This work proposes the design of β-keto esters as antibacterial compounds. The design was based on the structure of the autoinducer of bacterial quorum sensing, N-(3-oxo-hexanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C6-HSL). Eight β-keto ester analogues were synthesised with good yields and were spectroscopically characterised, showing that the compounds were only present in their β-keto ester tautomer form. We carried out a computational analysis of the reactivity and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties of the compounds as well as molecular docking and molecular dynamics calculations with the LasR and LuxS quorum-sensing (QS) proteins, which are involved in bacterial resistance to antibiotics. The results show that all the compounds exhibit reliable ADME properties and that only compound 7 can present electrophile toxicity. The theoretical reactivity study shows that compounds 6 and 8 present a differential local reactivity regarding the rest of the series. Compound 8 presents the most promising potential in terms of its ability to interact with the LasR and LuxS QS proteins efficiently according to its molecular docking and molecular dynamics calculations. An initial in vitro antimicrobial screening was performed against the human pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus as well as the phytopathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas syringae and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Compounds 6 and 8 exhibit the most promising results in the in vitro antimicrobial screening against the panel of bacteria studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximiliano Martínez-Cifuentes
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile; (E.S.-T.); (C.L.-P.)
| | - Emmanuel Soto-Tapia
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile; (E.S.-T.); (C.L.-P.)
| | - Camila Linares-Pipón
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile; (E.S.-T.); (C.L.-P.)
| | - Ben Bradshaw
- Laboratori de Química Orgánica, Facultat de Farmàcia, IBUB, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Paulina Valenzuela-Hormazabal
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile; (P.V.-H.); (D.R.)
| | - David Ramírez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción 4030000, Chile; (P.V.-H.); (D.R.)
| | - Patricio Muñoz-Torres
- Laboratorio de Patología Vegetal y Bioproductos, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Tarapacá, Av. General Velásquez 1775, Arica 1000000, Chile
| | - Claudio Parra
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile; (E.S.-T.); (C.L.-P.)
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Ghosh M, Raghav S, Ghosh P, Maity S, Mohela K, Jain D. Structural analysis of novel drug targets for mitigation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2023; 47:fuad054. [PMID: 37771093 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuad054] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen responsible for acute and chronic, hard to treat infections. Persistence of P. aeruginosa is due to its ability to develop into biofilms, which are sessile bacterial communities adhered to substratum and encapsulated in layers of self-produced exopolysaccharides. These biofilms provide enhanced protection from the host immune system and resilience towards antibiotics, which poses a challenge for treatment. Various strategies have been expended for combating biofilms, which involve inhibiting biofilm formation or promoting their dispersal. The current remediation approaches offer some hope for clinical usage, however, treatment and eradication of preformed biofilms is still a challenge. Thus, identifying novel targets and understanding the detailed mechanism of biofilm regulation becomes imperative. Structure-based drug discovery (SBDD) provides a powerful tool that exploits the knowledge of atomic resolution details of the targets to search for high affinity ligands. This review describes the available structural information on the putative target protein structures that can be utilized for high throughput in silico drug discovery against P. aeruginosa biofilms. Integrating available structural information on the target proteins in readily accessible format will accelerate the process of drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Ghosh
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
| | - Shikha Raghav
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
| | - Puja Ghosh
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
| | - Swagatam Maity
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
| | - Kavery Mohela
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
| | - Deepti Jain
- Transcription Regulation Lab, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, NCR Biotech Science Cluster, 3rd Milestone, Faridabad-Gurugram Expressway, Faridabad, Haryana-121001, India
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9
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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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10
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The Association between Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Resistance with Possible Ingenious Bio-Remedial Approaches. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11070930. [PMID: 35884186 PMCID: PMC9312340 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11070930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Biofilm has garnered a lot of interest due to concerns in various sectors such as public health, medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. Biofilm-producing bacteria show a remarkable drug resistance capability, leading to an increase in morbidity and mortality. This results in enormous economic pressure on the healthcare sector. The development of biofilms is a complex phenomenon governed by multiple factors. Several attempts have been made to unravel the events of biofilm formation; and, such efforts have provided insights into the mechanisms to target for the therapy. Owing to the fact that the biofilm-state makes the bacterial pathogens significantly resistant to antibiotics, targeting pathogens within biofilm is indeed a lucrative prospect. The available drugs can be repurposed to eradicate the pathogen, and as a result, ease the antimicrobial treatment burden. Biofilm formers and their infections have also been found in plants, livestock, and humans. The advent of novel strategies such as bioinformatics tools in treating, as well as preventing, biofilm formation has gained a great deal of attention. Development of newfangled anti-biofilm agents, such as silver nanoparticles, may be accomplished through omics approaches such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics. Nanoparticles’ anti-biofilm properties could help to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This approach may also be integrated for a better understanding of biofilm biology, guided by mechanistic understanding, virtual screening, and machine learning in silico techniques for discovering small molecules in order to inhibit key biofilm regulators. This stimulated research is a rapidly growing field for applicable control measures to prevent biofilm formation. Therefore, the current article discusses the current understanding of biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance mechanisms in bacterial biofilm, and the novel therapeutic strategies to combat biofilm-mediated infections.
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11
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Wei Z, Li T, Gu Y, Zhang Q, Wang E, Li W, Wang X, Li Y, Li H. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Analogs of Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Chem 2022; 10:948687. [PMID: 35873042 PMCID: PMC9305322 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.948687] [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: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing plays a necessary role in the production of virulence factors and the formation of biofilm on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the development of inhibition of quorum sensing is one of the most promising methods to control bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance. In this work, nine novel AHL analogs were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as potential quorum sensing inhibitors. The results depicted that structural modifications have significant effects on quorum sensing inhibition activity of AHL molecules. Without inhibiting the growth of P. aeruginosa, 2-(4-bromophenyl)-N-(2-oxotetrapyridinefuran-3-yl) butanamide (compound no.10) showed the excellent performance in inhibiting biofilm formation and virulence factor production among all the compounds through robustly suppressing the expression of QS related genes. In a molecular docking study, compound no.10 exhibited a higher affinity toward LasR than other AHL analogs. In addition, compound no.10 also exhibits the best inhibition effect on virulence production in the Caenorhabditis elegans infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Wei
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ting Li
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Gu
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Enhui Wang
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Wenbo Li
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Yang Li,
| | - Hongyu Li
- International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Biopharmaceutical, School of Life Sciences, Institute of Microbiology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu High Throughput Screening and Creation Center for Health Products, School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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12
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Maeda T, Sabidi S, Sanchez-Torres V, Hoshiko Y, Toya S. Engineering anaerobic digestion via optimizing microbial community: effects of bactericidal agents, quorum sensing inhibitors, and inorganic materials. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:7607-7618. [PMID: 34542684 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11536-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge (SS) is one of the effective ways to reduce the waste generated from human life activities. To date, there are many reports to improve or repress methane production during the anaerobic digestion of SS. In the anaerobic digestion process, many microorganisms work positively or negatively, and as a result of their microbe-to-microbe interaction and regulation, methane production increases or decreases. In other words, understanding the complex control mechanism among the microorganisms and identifying the strains that are key to increase or decrease methane production are important for promoting the advanced production of bioenergy and beneficial compounds. In this mini-review, the literature on methane production in anaerobic digestion has been summarized based on the results of antibiotic addition, quorum sensing control, and inorganic substance addition. By optimizing the activity of microbial groups in SS, methane or acetate can be highly produced. KEY POINTS: • Bactericidal agents such as an antibiotic alter microbial community for enhanced CH4 production. • Bacterial interaction via quorum sensing is one of the key points for biofilm and methane production. • Anaerobic digestion can be altered in the presence of several inorganic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinari Maeda
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, 808-0196, Japan.
| | - Sarah Sabidi
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, 808-0196, Japan
| | - Viviana Sanchez-Torres
- Escuela de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Industrial de Santander, A.A. 678, Bucaramanga, Santander, Colombia
| | - Yuki Hoshiko
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, 808-0196, Japan
| | - Shotaro Toya
- Department of Biological Functions Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, 2-4 Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, 808-0196, Japan
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13
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Liu X, Wang W, Li J, Li Y, Zhang J, Tan H. A widespread response of Gram-negative bacterial acyl-homoserine lactone receptors to Gram-positive Streptomyces γ-butyrolactone signaling molecules. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 64:1575-1589. [PMID: 34319534 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-1956-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell communication is critical for bacterial survival in natural habitats, in which miscellaneous regulatory networks are encompassed. However, elucidating the interaction networks of a microbial community has been hindered by the population complexity. This study reveals that γ-butyrolactone (GBL) molecules from Streptomyces species, the major antibiotic producers, can directly bind to the acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) receptor of Chromobacterium violaceum and influence violacein production controlled by the quorum sensing (QS) system. Subsequently, the widespread responses of more Gram-negative bacterial AHL receptors to Gram-positive Streptomyces signaling molecules are unveiled. Based on the cross-talk between GBL and AHL signaling systems, combinatorial regulatory circuits (CRC) are designed and proved to be workable in Escherichia coli (E. coli). It is significant that the QS systems of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria can be bridged via native Streptomyces signaling molecules. These findings pave a new path for unlocking the comprehensive cell-cell communications in microbial communities and facilitate the exploitation of innovative regulatory elements for synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wenxi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Junyue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Huarong Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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14
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Vetrivel A, Natchimuthu S, Subramanian V, Murugesan R. High-Throughput Virtual Screening for a New Class of Antagonist Targeting LasR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ACS OMEGA 2021; 6:18314-18324. [PMID: 34308062 PMCID: PMC8296597 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c02191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen, causes fatal effects in patients with cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised individuals and leads to around 1000 deaths annually. The quorum sensing mechanism of P. aeruginosa plays a major role in promoting biofilm formation and expression of virulent genes. Hence, quorum sensing inhibition is a promising novel approach to treat these bacterial infections as these organisms show a wide range of antibiotic resistance. Among the interconnected quorum sensing network of P. aeruginosa, targeting the las system is of increased interest as its principal receptor protein LasR is the earliest activated gene. It is also shown to be involved in the regulation of other virulence-associated genes. In this study, we have applied high-throughput virtual screening, an in silico computational method to identify a new class of LasR inhibitors that could serve as potent antagonists to treat P. aeruginosa-associated infections. Three-tire structure-based virtual screening was performed on the Schrödinger small molecule database, which resulted in 12 top hit compounds with docking scores lesser than -11.0 kcal/mol. Three of these best-scored compounds CACPD2011a-0001928786 (C1), CACPD2011a-0001927437 (C2), and CACPD2011a-0000896051 (C3) were further analyzed. The binding free energies of these compounds in complex with the target protein LasR (3IX4) were evaluated, and the pharmacokinetic properties were determined. The stability of the docked complexes was assessed by running a molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns. Molecular dynamics simulation analysis revealed that all three compounds were found to be in stable contact with the protein over the entire simulation period. The antagonistic effect of these compounds was validated using the LasR reporter gene assay in the presence of acyl homoserine lactone. Significant reduction in the β-galactosidase enzyme activity was achieved at 100 nM concentration for all three compounds pursued. Hence, the present study provides strong evidence that these three compounds could serve as quorum sensing inhibitors of P. aeruginosa LasR protein and can be a probable candidate to treat Pseudomonas-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Vetrivel
- Department
of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for
Women, Coimbatore 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Santhi Natchimuthu
- Department
of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for
Women, Coimbatore 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Rajeswari Murugesan
- Department
of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for
Women, Coimbatore 641043, Tamil Nadu, India
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15
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Molecular simulations of lipid membrane partitioning and translocation by bacterial quorum sensing modulators. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246187. [PMID: 33561158 PMCID: PMC7872223 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication process mediated by both native and non-native small-molecule quorum sensing modulators (QSMs), many of which have been synthesized to disrupt QS pathways. While structure-activity relationships have been developed to relate QSM structure to the activation or inhibition of QS receptors, less is known about the transport mechanisms that enable QSMs to cross the lipid membrane and access intracellular receptors. In this study, we used atomistic MD simulations and an implicit solvent model, called COSMOmic, to analyze the partitioning and translocation of QSMs across lipid bilayers. We performed umbrella sampling at atomistic resolution to calculate partitioning and translocation free energies for a set of naturally occurring QSMs, then used COSMOmic to screen the water-membrane partition and translocation free energies for 50 native and non-native QSMs that target LasR, one of the LuxR family of quorum-sensing receptors. This screening procedure revealed the influence of systematic changes to head and tail group structures on membrane partitioning and translocation free energies at a significantly reduced computational cost compared to atomistic MD simulations. Comparisons with previously determined QSM activities suggest that QSMs that are least likely to partition into the bilayer are also less active. This work thus demonstrates the ability of the computational protocol to interrogate QSM-bilayer interactions which may help guide the design of new QSMs with engineered membrane interactions.
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16
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Ziegler EW, Brown AB, Nesnas N, Chouinard CD, Mehta AK, Palmer AG. β-Cyclodextrin Encapsulation of Synthetic AHLs: Drug Delivery Implications and Quorum-Quenching Exploits. Chembiochem 2020; 22:1292-1301. [PMID: 33238068 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Many bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, regulate phenotypic switching in a population density-dependent manner through a phenomenon known as quorum sensing (QS). For Gram-negative bacteria, QS relies on the synthesis, transmission, and perception of low-molecular-weight signal molecules that are predominantly N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs). Efforts to disrupt AHL-mediated QS have largely focused on the development of synthetic AHL analogues (SAHLAs) that are structurally similar to native AHLs. However, like AHLs, these molecules tend to be hydrophobic and are poorly soluble under aqueous conditions. Water-soluble macrocycles, such as cyclodextrins (CDs), that encapsulate hydrophobic guests have long been used by both the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries to overcome the solubility issues associated with hydrophobic compounds of interest. Conveniently, CDs have also demonstrated anti-AHL-mediated QS effects. Here, using fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR spectrometry, and mass spectrometry, we evaluate the affinity of SAHLAs, as well as their hydrolysis products, for β-CD inclusion. We also evaluated the ability of these complexes to inhibit wild-type P. aeruginosa virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans host infection study, for the first time. Our efforts confirm the potential of β-CDs for the improved delivery of SAHLAs at the host/microbial interface, expanding the utility of this approach as a strategy for probing and controlling QS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Ziegler
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Alan B Brown
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Nasri Nesnas
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Christopher D Chouinard
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Anil K Mehta
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, 1149 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Andrew G Palmer
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA.,Department of Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150W. University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
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17
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Styles MJ, Early SA, Tucholski T, West KHJ, Ge Y, Blackwell HE. Chemical Control of Quorum Sensing in E. coli: Identification of Small Molecule Modulators of SdiA and Mechanistic Characterization of a Covalent Inhibitor. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:3092-3103. [PMID: 33124430 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is the causative agent of severe diarrheal disease in humans. Cattle are the natural reservoir of EHEC, and approximately 75% of EHEC infections in humans stem from bovine products. Many common bacterial pathogens, including EHEC, rely on chemical communication systems, such as quorum sensing (QS), to regulate virulence and facilitate host colonization. EHEC uses SdiA from E. coli (SdiAEC), an orphan LuxR-type receptor, to sense N-acyl l-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS signals produced by other members of the bovine enteric microbiome. SdiAEC regulates two phenotypes critical for colonizing cattle: acid resistance and the formation of attaching and effacing lesions. Despite the importance of SdiAEC, there is very little known about its selectivity for different AHL signals, and no chemical inhibitors that act specifically on SdiAEC have been reported. Such compounds would represent valuable tools to study the roles of QS in EHEC virulence. To identify chemical modulators of SdiAEC and delineate the structure-activity relationships (SARs) for AHL activity in this receptor, we report herein the screening of a focused library composed largely of AHLs and AHL analogues in an SdiAEC reporter assay. We describe the identity and SARs of potent modulators of SdiAEC activity, examine the promiscuity of SdiAEC, characterize the mechanism of a covalent inhibitor, and provide phenotypic assay data to support that these compounds can control SdiAEC-dependent acid resistance in E. coli. These SdiAEC modulators could be used to advance the study of LuxR-type receptor/ligand interactions, the biological roles of orphan LuxR-type receptors, and potential QS-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Styles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Stephen A. Early
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Trisha Tucholski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Korbin H. J. West
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Ying Ge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
- Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, Wisconsin Institute for Medical Research, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1111 Highland Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53705, United States
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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18
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Shao X, Xie Y, Zhang Y, Liu J, Ding Y, Wu M, Wang X, Deng X. Novel therapeutic strategies for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1403-1423. [PMID: 32880507 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1803274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent infections caused by the superbug Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents are huge threats to patients with cystic fibrosis as well as those with compromised immune systems. Multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa has posed a major challenge to conventional antibiotics and therapeutic approaches, which show limited efficacy and cause serious side effects. The public demand for new antibiotics is enormous; yet, drug development pipelines have started to run dry with limited targets available for inventing new antibacterial drugs. Consequently, it is important to uncover potential therapeutic targets. AREAS COVERED The authors review the current state of drug development strategies that are promising in terms of the development of novel and potent drugs to treat P. aeruginosa infection. EXPERT OPINION The prevention of P. aeruginosa infection is increasingly challenging. Furthermore, targeting key virulence regulators has great potential for developing novel anti-P. aeruginosa drugs. Additional promising strategies include bacteriophage therapy, immunotherapies, and antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, the authors believe that in the coming years, the overall network of molecular regulatory mechanism of P. aeruginosa virulence will be fully elucidated, which will provide more novel and promising drug targets for treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Shao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingpeng Xie
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yingchao Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jingui Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yiqing Ding
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota , Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute, City University of Hong Kong , Shenzhen, China
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19
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Hemmati F, Salehi R, Ghotaslou R, Samadi Kafil H, Hasani A, Gholizadeh P, Nouri R, Ahangarzadeh Rezaee M. Quorum Quenching: A Potential Target for Antipseudomonal Therapy. Infect Drug Resist 2020; 13:2989-3005. [PMID: 32922047 PMCID: PMC7457774 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s263196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been excessive rate of use of antibiotics to fight Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infections worldwide, which has consequently caused the increased resistance to multiple antibiotics in this pathogen. Due to the widespread resistance and the current poor effect of antibiotics consumed to treat P. aeruginosa infections, finding some novel alternative therapeutic methods are necessary for the treatment of infections. The P. aeruginosa biofilms can cause severe infections leading to the increased antibiotic resistance and mortality rate among the patients. In this regard, there are no approaches that can efficiently manage these infections; therefore, novel and effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents are needed to control and treat these bacterial infections. Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) or quorum quenchings (QQs) are now considered as potential therapeutic alternatives and/or adjuvants to the current failing antibiotics, which can control the virulence traits of the pathogens, so as a result, the host immune system can quickly eliminate bacteria. Thus, the aims of this review article were presenting a brief explanation of the research reports on the natural and synthetic QSIs of P. aeruginosa, and the assessment of the current understanding on the QS mechanisms and various QQ strategies in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hemmati
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Roya Salehi
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Ghotaslou
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hossein Samadi Kafil
- Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Alka Hasani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Pourya Gholizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Nouri
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ahangarzadeh Rezaee
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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20
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Manson DE, O’Reilly MC, Nyffeler KE, Blackwell HE. Design, Synthesis, and Biochemical Characterization of Non-Native Antagonists of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Receptor LasR with Nanomolar IC 50 Values. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:649-661. [PMID: 32037806 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.9b00518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell-to-cell communication system mediated by small molecules and peptides, has received significant interest as a potential target to block infection. The common pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses QS to regulate many of its virulence phenotypes at high cell densities, and the LasR QS receptor plays a critical role in this process. Small molecule tools that inhibit LasR activity would serve to illuminate its role in P. aeruginosa virulence, but we currently lack highly potent and selective LasR antagonists, despite considerable research in this area. V-06-018, an abiotic small molecule discovered in a high-throughput screen, represents one of the most potent known LasR antagonists but has seen little study since its initial report. Herein, we report a systematic study of the structure-activity relationships (SARs) that govern LasR antagonism by V-06-018. We synthesized a focused library of V-06-018 derivatives and evaluated the library for bioactivity using a variety of cell-based LasR reporter systems. The SAR trends revealed by these experiments allowed us to design probes with 10-fold greater potency than that of V-06-018 and 100-fold greater potency than other commonly used N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (AHL)-based LasR antagonists, along with high selectivities for LasR. Biochemical experiments to probe the mechanism of antagonism by V-06-018 and its analogues support these compounds interacting with the native ligand-binding site in LasR and, at least in part, stabilizing an inactive form of the protein. The compounds described herein are the most potent and efficacious antagonists of LasR known and represent robust probes both for characterizing the mechanisms of LuxR-type QS and for chemical biology research in general in the growing QS field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E. Manson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 110 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706 United States
| | - Matthew C. O’Reilly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 110 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706 United States
| | - Kayleigh E. Nyffeler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 110 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706 United States
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin−Madison, 110 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706 United States
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21
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Qvortrup K, Hultqvist LD, Nilsson M, Jakobsen TH, Jansen CU, Uhd J, Andersen JB, Nielsen TE, Givskov M, Tolker-Nielsen T. Small Molecule Anti-biofilm Agents Developed on the Basis of Mechanistic Understanding of Biofilm Formation. Front Chem 2019; 7:742. [PMID: 31737611 PMCID: PMC6838868 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial biofilms are the cause of persistent infections associated with various medical implants and distinct body sites such as the urinary tract, lungs, and wounds. Compared with their free living counterparts, bacteria in biofilms display a highly increased resistance to immune system activities and antibiotic treatment. Therefore, biofilm infections are difficult or impossible to treat with our current armory of antibiotics. The challenges associated with biofilm infections have urged researchers to pursue a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that are involved in the formation and dispersal of biofilms, and this has led to the identification of several steps that could be targeted in order to eradicate these challenging infections. Here we describe mechanisms that are involved in the regulation of biofilm development in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii, and provide examples of chemical compounds that have been developed to specifically inhibit these processes. These compounds include (i) pilicides and curlicides which inhibit the initial steps of biofilm formation by E. coli; (ii) compounds that interfere with c-di-GMP signaling in P. aeruginosa and E. coli; and (iii) compounds that inhibit quorum-sensing in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. In cases where compound series have a defined molecular target, we focus on elucidating structure activity relationship (SAR) trends within the particular compound series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine Qvortrup
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Louise Dahl Hultqvist
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Nilsson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tim Holm Jakobsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jesper Uhd
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jens Bo Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas E Nielsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael Givskov
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tim Tolker-Nielsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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22
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Potent modulation of the CepR quorum sensing receptor and virulence in a Burkholderia cepacia complex member using non-native lactone ligands. Sci Rep 2019; 9:13449. [PMID: 31530834 PMCID: PMC6748986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-49693-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a family of closely related bacterial pathogens that are the causative agent of deadly human infections. Virulence in Bcc species has been shown to be controlled by the CepI/CepR quorum sensing (QS) system, which is mediated by an N-acyl L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal (C8-AHL) and its cognate LuxR-type receptor (CepR). Chemical strategies to block QS in Bcc members would represent an approach to intercept this bacterial communication process and further delineate its role in infection. In the current study, we sought to identify non-native AHLs capable of agonizing or antagonizing CepR, and thereby QS, in a Bcc member. We screened a library of AHL analogs in cell-based reporters for CepR, and identified numerous highly potent CepR agonists and antagonists. These compounds remain active in a Bcc member, B. multivorans, with one agonist 250-fold more potent than the native ligand C8-AHL, and can affect QS-controlled motility. Further, the CepR antagonists prolong C. elegans survival in an infection model. These AHL analogs are the first reported non-native molecules that both directly modulate CepR and impact QS-controlled phenotypes in a Bcc member, and represent valuable chemical tools to assess the role of QS in Bcc infections.
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23
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Antagonism of Quorum Sensing Phenotypes by Analogs of the Marine Bacterial Secondary Metabolite 3-Methyl- N-(2'-Phenylethyl)-Butyramide. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17070389. [PMID: 31266202 PMCID: PMC6669561 DOI: 10.3390/md17070389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) antagonists have been proposed as novel therapeutic agents to combat bacterial infections. We previously reported that the secondary metabolite 3-methyl-N-(2'-phenylethyl)-butyramide, produced by a marine bacterium identified as Halobacillus salinus, inhibits QS controlled phenotypes in multiple Gram-negative reporter strains. Here we report that N-phenethyl hexanamide, a structurally-related compound produced by the marine bacterium Vibrio neptunius, similarly demonstrates QS inhibitory properties. To more fully explore structure-activity relationships within this new class of QS inhibitors, a panel of twenty analogs was synthesized and biologically evaluated. Several compounds were identified with increased attenuation of QS-regulated phenotypes, most notably N-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-phenylpropanamide against the marine pathogen Vibrio harveyi (IC50 = 1.1 µM). These findings support the opportunity to further develop substituted phenethylamides as QS inhibitors.
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24
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Hansen MJ, Hille JI, Szymanski W, Driessen AJ, Feringa BL. Easily Accessible, Highly Potent, Photocontrolled Modulators of Bacterial Communication. Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chempr.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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25
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Wellington S, Greenberg EP. Quorum Sensing Signal Selectivity and the Potential for Interspecies Cross Talk. mBio 2019; 10:e00146-19. [PMID: 30837333 PMCID: PMC6401477 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00146-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species of proteobacteria communicate with kin and coordinate group behaviors through a form of cell-cell signaling called acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing (QS). Most AHL receptors are thought to be specific for their cognate signal, ensuring that bacteria cooperate and share resources only with closely related kin cells. Although specificity is considered fundamental to QS, there are reports of "promiscuous" receptors that respond broadly to nonself signals. These promiscuous responses expand the function of QS systems to include interspecies interactions and have been implicated in both interspecies competition and cooperation. Because bacteria are frequently members of polymicrobial communities, AHL cross talk between species could have profound impacts. To better understand the prevalence of QS promiscuity, we measured the activity of seven QS receptors in their native host organisms. To facilitate comparison of our results to previous studies, we also measured receptor activity using heterologous expression in Escherichia coli We found that the standard E. coli methods consistently overestimate receptor promiscuity and sensitivity and that overexpression of the receptors is sufficient to account for the discrepancy between native and E. coli reporters. Additionally, receptor overexpression resulted in AHL-independent activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using our activation data, we developed a quantitative score of receptor selectivity. We find that the receptors display a wide range of selectivity and that most receptors respond sensitively and strongly to at least one nonself signal, suggesting a broad potential for cross talk between QS systems.IMPORTANCE Specific recognition of cognate signals is considered fundamental to cell signaling circuits as it creates fidelity in the communication system. In bacterial quorum sensing (QS), receptor specificity ensures that bacteria cooperate only with kin. There are examples, however, of QS receptors that respond promiscuously to multiple signals. "Eavesdropping" by these promiscuous receptors can be beneficial in both interspecies competition and cooperation. Despite their potential significance, we know little about the prevalence of promiscuous QS receptors. Further, many studies rely on methods requiring receptor overexpression, which is known to increase apparent promiscuity. By systematically studying QS receptors in their natural parent strains, we find that the receptors display a wide range of selectivity and that there is potential for significant cross talk between QS systems. Our results provide a basis for hypotheses about the evolution and function of promiscuous signal receptors and for predictions about interspecies interactions in complex microbial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Wellington
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - E Peter Greenberg
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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26
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Palmer AG, Senechal AC, Haire TC, Mehta NP, Valiquette SD, Blackwell HE. Selection of Appropriate Autoinducer Analogues for the Modulation of Quorum Sensing at the Host-Bacterium Interface. ACS Chem Biol 2018; 13:3115-3122. [PMID: 30296049 PMCID: PMC6239973 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.8b00676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria regulate a variety of phenotypes in response to their population density using quorum sensing (QS). This phenomenon is regulated by small molecule or peptide signals, the best characterized of which are the N-acyl l-homoserine lactones (AHLs) utilized by Gram-negative bacteria. As many QS-controlled phenotypes, notably pathogenicity and symbiosis, can profoundly impact host eukaryotes, there is significant interest in developing methods for modulating QS signaling and either ameliorating or augmenting these phenotypes. One strategy has been the use of non-native AHL analogues to agonize or antagonize specific AHL receptors. This approach is complicated, however, by the potential for prospective hosts to respond to both native AHLs and synthetic analogues. Accordingly, identifying AHL analogues with little or no activity toward eukaryotes is important in developing QS modulation as a strategy for the regulation of prokaryotic behaviors. Herein, we utilize the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to characterize eukaryotic responses to a variety of synthetic AHL analogues to identify structural elements of existing scaffolds that may elicit responses in prospective hosts. Our results indicate that, while many of these compounds have no discernible effect on A. thaliana, some elicit strong phenotypes similar to those produced by auxin, a hormone involved in almost all aspects of plant development. We outline concentrations and chemical scaffolds that are ideal for deployment on plant hosts for the regulation of QS. This approach should be exportable to other eukaryotes for the selection of optimal AHL tools for the study of QS at the host-microbe interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G. Palmer
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901
| | - Amanda C. Senechal
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
| | - Timothy C. Haire
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901
| | - Nidhi P. Mehta
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901
| | - Sara D. Valiquette
- Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Science, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706
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27
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Synthetic small molecules as anti-biofilm agents in the struggle against antibiotic resistance. Eur J Med Chem 2018; 161:154-178. [PMID: 30347328 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2018.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm formation significantly contributes to microbial survival in hostile environments and it is currently considered a key virulence factor for pathogens responsible for serious chronic infections. In the last decade many efforts have been made to identify new agents able to modulate bacterial biofilm life cycle, and many compounds have shown interesting activities in inhibiting biofilm formation or in dispersing pre-formed biofilms. However, only a few of these compounds were tested using in vivo models for their clinical significance. Contrary to conventional antibiotics, most of the anti-biofilm compounds act as anti-virulence agents as they do not affect bacterial growth. In this review we selected the most relevant literature of the last decade, focusing on the development of synthetic small molecules able to prevent bacterial biofilm formation or to eradicate pre-existing biofilms of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. In addition, we provide a comprehensive list of the possible targets to counteract biofilm formation and development, as well as a detailed discussion the advantages and disadvantages of the different current biofilm-targeting strategies.
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28
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Styles MJ, Blackwell HE. Non-native autoinducer analogs capable of modulating the SdiA quorum sensing receptor in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Beilstein J Org Chem 2018; 14:2651-2664. [PMID: 30410627 PMCID: PMC6204753 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.14.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) allows many common bacterial pathogens to coordinate group behaviors such as virulence factor production, host colonization, and biofilm formation at high population densities. This cell–cell signaling process is regulated by N-acyl L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals, or autoinducers, and LuxR-type receptors in Gram-negative bacteria. SdiA is an orphan LuxR-type receptor found in Escherichia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter genera that responds to AHL signals produced by other species and regulates genes involved in several aspects of host colonization. The inhibition of QS using non-native small molecules that target LuxR-type receptors offers a non-biocidal approach for studying, and potentially controlling, virulence in these bacteria. To date, few studies have characterized the features of AHLs and other small molecules capable of SdiA agonism, and no SdiA antagonists have been reported. Herein, we report the screening of a set of AHL analogs to both uncover agonists and antagonists of SdiA and to start to delineate structure–activity relationships (SARs) for SdiA:AHL interactions. Using a cell-based reporter of SdiA in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, several non-natural SdiA agonists and the first set of SdiA antagonists were identified and characterized. These compounds represent new chemical probes for exploring the mechanisms by which SdiA functions during infection and its role in interspecies interactions. Moreover, as SdiA is highly stable when produced in vitro, these compounds could advance fundamental studies of LuxR-type receptor:ligand interactions that engender both agonism and antagonism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Styles
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Helen E Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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29
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Soukarieh F, Williams P, Stocks MJ, Cámara M. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Systems as Drug Discovery Targets: Current Position and Future Perspectives. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10385-10402. [PMID: 29999316 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to public health globally, manifested by the frequent emergence of multidrug resistant pathogens that render current chemotherapy inadequate. Health organizations worldwide have recognized the severity of this crisis and implemented action plans to contain its adverse consequences and prolong the utility of conventional antibiotics. Hence, there is a pressing need for new classes of antibacterial agents with novel modes of action. Quorum sensing (QS), a communication system employed by bacterial populations to coordinate virulence gene expression, is a potential target that has been intensively investigated over the past decade. This Perspective will focus on recent advances in targeting the three main quorum sensing systems ( las, rhl, and pqs) of a major opportunistic human pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and will specifically evaluate the medicinal chemistry strategies devised to develop QS inhibitors from a drug discovery perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fadi Soukarieh
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , NG7 2RD , U.K
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , NG7 2RD , U.K
| | - Michael J Stocks
- School of Pharmacy, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , NG7 2RD , U.K
| | - Miguel Cámara
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , NG7 2RD , U.K
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30
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Liao L, Schaefer AL, Coutinho BG, Brown PJB, Greenberg EP. An aryl-homoserine lactone quorum-sensing signal produced by a dimorphic prosthecate bacterium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7587-7592. [PMID: 29967162 PMCID: PMC6055194 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1808351115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species of Proteobacteria produce acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) compounds as quorum-sensing (QS) signals for cell density-dependent gene regulation. Most known AHL synthases, LuxI-type enzymes, produce fatty AHLs, and the fatty acid moiety is derived from an acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) intermediate in fatty acid biosynthesis. Recently, a class of LuxI homologs has been shown to use CoA-linked aromatic or amino acid substrates for AHL synthesis. By using an informatics approach, we found the CoA class of LuxI homologs exists primarily in α-Proteobacteria. The genome of Prosthecomicrobium hirschii, a dimorphic prosthecate bacterium, possesses a luxI-like AHL synthase gene that we predicted to encode a CoA-utilizing enzyme. We show the P. hirschii LuxI homolog catalyzes synthesis of phenylacetyl-homoserine lactone (PA-HSL). Our experiments show P. hirschii obtains phenylacetate from its environment and uses a CoA ligase to produce the phenylacetyl-CoA substrate for the LuxI homolog. By using an AHL degrading enzyme, we showed that PA-HSL controls aggregation, biofilm formation, and pigment production in P. hirschii These findings advance a limited understanding of the CoA-dependent AHL synthases. We describe how to identify putative members of the class, we describe a signal synthesized by using an environmental aromatic acid, and we identify phenotypes controlled by the aryl-HSL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Liao
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Amy L Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Bruna G Coutinho
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Pamela J B Brown
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - E Peter Greenberg
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China;
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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31
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Boursier ME, Manson DE, Combs JB, Blackwell HE. A comparative study of non-native N-acyl l-homoserine lactone analogs in two Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing receptors that share a common native ligand yet inversely regulate virulence. Bioorg Med Chem 2018; 26:5336-5342. [PMID: 29793752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2018.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Certain bacteria can coordinate group behaviors via a chemical communication system known as quorum sensing (QS). Gram-negative bacteria typically use N-acyl l-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals and their cognate intracellular LuxR-type receptors for QS. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a relatively complex QS circuit in which two of its LuxR-type receptors, LasR and QscR, are activated by the same natural signal, N-(3-oxo)-dodecanoyl l-homoserine lactone. Intriguingly, once active, LasR activates virulence pathways in P. aeruginosa, while activated QscR can inactivate LasR and thus repress virulence. We have a limited understanding of the structural features of AHLs that engender either agonistic activity in both receptors or receptor-selective activity. Compounds with the latter activity profile could prove especially useful tools to tease out the roles of these two receptors in virulence regulation. A small collection of AHL analogs was assembled and screened in cell-based reporter assays for activity in both LasR and QscR. We identified several structural motifs that bias ligand activation towards each of the two receptors. These findings will inform the development of new synthetic ligands for LasR and QscR with improved potencies and selectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle E Boursier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Daniel E Manson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Joshua B Combs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Helen E Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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32
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Ma ZP, Song Y, Cai ZH, Lin ZJ, Lin GH, Wang Y, Zhou J. Anti-quorum Sensing Activities of Selected Coral Symbiotic Bacterial Extracts From the South China Sea. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:144. [PMID: 29868500 PMCID: PMC5951975 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide increase in antibiotic-resistant pathogens means that identification of alternative antibacterial drug targets and the subsequent development of new treatment strategies are urgently required. One such new target is the quorum sensing (QS) system. Coral microbial consortia harbor an enormous diversity of microbes, and are thus rich sources for isolating novel bioactive and pharmacologically valuable natural products. However, to date, the versatility of their bioactive compounds has not been broadly explored. In this study, about two hundred bacterial colonies were isolated from a coral species (Pocillopora damicornis) and screened for their ability to inhibit QS using the bioreporter strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472. Approximately 15% (30 isolates) exhibited anti-QS activity, against the indicator strain. Among them, a typical Gram-positive bacterium, D11 (Staphylococcus hominis) was identified and its anti-QS activity was investigated. Confocal microscopy observations showed that the bacterial extract inhibited the biofilm formation of clinical isolates of wild-type P. aeruginosa PAO1 in a dose-dependent pattern. Chromatographic separation led to the isolation of a potent QS inhibitor that was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as DL-homocysteine thiolactone. Gene expression analyses using RT-PCR showed that strain D11 led to a significant down-regulation of QS regulatory genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR), as well as a virulence-related gene (lasB). From the chemical structure, the target compound (DL-homocysteine thiolactone) is an analog of the acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), and we presume that DL-homocysteine thiolactone outcompetes AHL in occupying the receptor and thereby inhibiting QS. Whole-genome sequence analysis of S. hominis D11 revealed the presence of predicted genes involved in the biosynthesis of homocysteine thiolactone. This study indicates that coral microbes are a resource bank for developing QS inhibitors and they will facilitate the discovery of new biotechnologically relevant compounds that could be used instead of traditional antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Ping Ma
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, The Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Song
- The Department of Earth Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Hua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, The Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Lin
- The Department of Earth Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Guang-Hui Lin
- The Department of Earth Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Biology, Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, The Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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33
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Chagas FO, Pessotti RDC, Caraballo-Rodríguez AM, Pupo MT. Chemical signaling involved in plant-microbe interactions. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:1652-1704. [PMID: 29218336 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00343a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Microorganisms are found everywhere, and they are closely associated with plants. Because the establishment of any plant-microbe association involves chemical communication, understanding crosstalk processes is fundamental to defining the type of relationship. Although several metabolites from plants and microbes have been fully characterized, their roles in the chemical interplay between these partners are not well understood in most cases, and they require further investigation. In this review, we describe different plant-microbe associations from colonization to microbial establishment processes in plants along with future prospects, including agricultural benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Oliveira Chagas
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), Avenida do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil.
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34
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Gerdt JP, Wittenwyler DM, Combs JB, Boursier ME, Brummond JW, Xu H, Blackwell HE. Chemical Interrogation of LuxR-type Quorum Sensing Receptors Reveals New Insights into Receptor Selectivity and the Potential for Interspecies Bacterial Signaling. ACS Chem Biol 2017; 12:2457-2464. [PMID: 28829573 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.7b00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cell-cell signaling between bacteria, including quorum-sensing (QS) communication systems, may play a role in the establishment and maintenance of polymicrobial communities. To better understand and model these interactions, we must uncover the degree to which neighboring species recognize each another's signals. In the current study, we tested the likelihood of whether the QS systems of two opportunistic pathogens (Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) that frequently arise in polymicrobial infections would be affected by the QS signals of neighboring species. Through the synthesis and screening of a library of native and non-native N-acyl l-homoserine lactones (AHLs), we found that the AbaR LuxR-type receptor protein of A. baumannii is highly selective for its native AHL signal. However, a homologous LuxR-type receptor in P. aeruginosa, LasR, is far more promiscuously activated by AHLs relative to AbaR, suggesting that LasR-regulated QS could be more susceptible to activation by neighboring species. To explain the observed difference in signal selectivity between AbaR and LasR, we developed a model based on (i) the activity profiles of these proteins and (ii) previously reported structural data and activity profiles for related LuxR-type receptors. This model may facilitate the study of signal selectivities for hundreds of LuxR-type QS receptors from bacteria, many of which grow in polymicrobial communities and may sense each other's signals. In addition, we discovered a set of AHLs that could be used to selectively activate LasR and selectively inhibit AbaR in polymicrobial experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P. Gerdt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Danielle M. Wittenwyler
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Joshua B. Combs
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Michelle E. Boursier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Jacob W. Brummond
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - He Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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35
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Zhou J, Bi S, Chen H, Chen T, Yang R, Li M, Fu Y, Jia AQ. Anti-Biofilm and Antivirulence Activities of Metabolites from Plectosphaerella cucumerina against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:769. [PMID: 28515715 PMCID: PMC5413567 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reported the efficacy of the metabolites of Plectosphaerella cucumerina, one phyllosphere fungus from Orychophragmus violaceus, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing (QS) and QS-regulated biofilms. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract from P. cucumerina against P. aeruginosa PAO1 was 1.25 mg mL−1. At sub-MIC concentrations, P. cucumerina extract (0.25–1 mg mL−1) not only inhibited biofilm formation but also disrupted preformed biofilms of P. aeruginosa PAO1 without affecting its growth. Fluorescence and scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed architectural disruption of the biofilms when treated with P. cucumerina metabolites. Further investigation demonstrated that metabolites in P. cucumerina attenuated the QS-dependent virulence factors. LC-MS/MS spectra coupled with experimentally standard samples suggested that patulin and emodin might act as the principal components possessing anti-biofilm and antivirulence activities. This is the first report of (1) the isolation of P. cucumerina from the phyllosphere of O. violaceus and (2) anti-biofilm, antivirulence, and biofilm disruption activities of this fungus. Thus, this study provides fascinating new pathways for screening antipathogenic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwei Zhou
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Shiyuan Bi
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Hongjuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing UniversityNanjing, China
| | - Tongtong Chen
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Rui Yang
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Minghui Li
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Yonghong Fu
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China
| | - Ai-Qun Jia
- School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and TechnologyNanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory of Tropical Biological Resources of Ministry Education, Hainan UniversityHaikou, China
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36
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Suneby EG, Herndon LR, Schneider TL. Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR·DNA Binding Is Directly Inhibited by Quorum Sensing Antagonists. ACS Infect Dis 2017; 3:183-189. [PMID: 28075113 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.6b00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is of interest as a possible antivirulence strategy for this pathogenic bacterium. The LasR regulator protein is important in coordinating gene expression in response to quorum sensing signaling molecules. One predominant strategy for LasR inhibition is the development of small-molecule antagonists that mimic the native autoinducer, though the mechanism by which they inactivate LasR is not known. This work reveals that multiple antagonists function by binding to and stabilizing LasR in a conformation that renders it unable to bind DNA. Further analysis of purified LasR complexed with known antagonists indicates that DNA binding can be recovered with the addition of native autoinducer, providing insights into the reversibility of ligand binding for this transcription factor. This in vitro assay could be used to assess future promising antagonists and complements existing cell-based reporter assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma G. Suneby
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
| | - Leslie R. Herndon
- Department
of Chemistry, Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts 01063, United States
| | - Tanya L. Schneider
- Department of Chemistry, Connecticut College, New London, Connecticut 06320, United States
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37
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Kimura Y, Tashiro Y, Saito K, Kawai-Noma S, Umeno D. Directed evolution of Vibrio fischeri LuxR signal sensitivity. J Biosci Bioeng 2016; 122:533-538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiosc.2016.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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38
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Capilato JN, Philippi SV, Reardon T, McConnell A, Oliver DC, Warren A, Adams JS, Wu C, Perez LJ. Development of a novel series of non-natural triaryl agonists and antagonists of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR quorum sensing receptor. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 25:153-165. [PMID: 27825554 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial chemical communication, through a process called quorum sensing (QS), plays a central role in infection in numerous bacterial pathogens. Quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa employs a series of small molecule receptors including the master QS regulator, LasR. In this study we investigate a non-natural triaryl series of LasR ligands using a combination of structure activity relationship studies and computational modeling. These studies have enabled the identification of key structural requirements for ligand binding and have revealed a new strategy for inducing the therapeutically relevant antagonism of LasR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph N Capilato
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Shane V Philippi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Thomas Reardon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Ashleigh McConnell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Dylan C Oliver
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Amy Warren
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Jill S Adams
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Chun Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
| | - Lark J Perez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028, United States
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39
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Palmer AG, Mukherjee A, Stacy DM, Lazar S, Ané JM, Blackwell HE. Interkingdom Responses to Bacterial Quorum Sensing Signals Regulate Frequency and Rate of Nodulation in Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis. Chembiochem 2016; 17:2199-2205. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201600373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew G. Palmer
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida Institute of Technology; 150 West University Melbourne FL 32904 USA
| | - Arijit Mukherjee
- Department of Biology; University of Central Arkansas; 201 Donaghey Conway AK 72035 USA
| | - Danielle M. Stacy
- Department of Chemistry; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1101 University Avenue Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Stephen Lazar
- Department of Biological Sciences; Florida Institute of Technology; 150 West University Melbourne FL 32904 USA
| | - Jean-Michel Ané
- Department of Agronomy; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1575 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
- Department of Bacteriology; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1550 Linden Drive Madison WI 53706 USA
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry; University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1101 University Avenue Madison WI 53706 USA
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40
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Promiscuous metallo-β-lactamases: MIM-1 and MIM-2 may play an essential role in quorum sensing networks. J Inorg Biochem 2016; 162:366-375. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2015.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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41
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Forschner-Dancause S, Poulin E, Meschwitz S. Quorum Sensing Inhibition and Structure-Activity Relationships of β-Keto Esters. Molecules 2016; 21:molecules21080971. [PMID: 27463706 PMCID: PMC5771494 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21080971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional therapeutics to treat bacterial infections have given rise to multi-drug resistant pathogens, which pose a major threat to human and animal health. In several pathogens, quorum sensing (QS)-a cell-cell communication system in bacteria-controls the expression of genes responsible for pathogenesis, thus representing a novel target in the fight against bacterial infections. Based on the structure of the autoinducers responsible for QS activity and other QS inhibitors, we hypothesize that β-keto esters with aryl functionality could possess anti-QS activity. A panel of nineteen β-keto ester analogs was tested for the inhibition of bioluminescence (a QS-controlled phenotype) in the marine pathogen Vibrio harveyi. Initial screening demonstrated the need of a phenyl ring at the C-3 position for antagonistic activity. Further additions to the phenyl ring with 4-substituted halo groups or a 3- or 4-substituted methoxy group resulted in the most active compounds with IC50 values ranging from 23 µM to 53 µM. The compounds additionally inhibit green fluorescent protein production by E. coli JB525. Evidence is presented that aryl β-keto esters may act as antagonists of bacterial quorum sensing by competing with N-acyl homoserine lactones for receptor binding. Expansion of the β-keto ester panel will enable us to obtain more insight into the structure-activity relationships needed to allow for the development of novel anti-virulence agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emily Poulin
- Department of Chemistry, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA.
| | - Susan Meschwitz
- Department of Chemistry, Salve Regina University, 100 Ochre Point Ave, Newport, RI 02840, USA.
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42
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O’Reilly MC, Blackwell HE. Structure-Based Design and Biological Evaluation of Triphenyl Scaffold-Based Hybrid Compounds as Hydrolytically Stable Modulators of a LuxR-Type Quorum Sensing Receptor. ACS Infect Dis 2016; 2:32-38. [PMID: 26807436 PMCID: PMC4709822 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.5b00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Many
common bacterial pathogens utilize quorum sensing to coordinate group
behaviors and initiate virulence at high cell densities. The use of
small molecules to block quorum sensing provides a means of abrogating
pathogenic phenotypes, but many known quorum sensing modulators have
limitations, including hydrolytic instability and displaying non-monotonic
dose curves (indicative of additional targets and/or modes of action).
To address these issues, we undertook a structure-based scaffold-hopping
approach to develop new chemical modulators of the LasR quorum sensing
receptor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
We combined components from a triphenyl derivative known to strongly
agonize LasR with chemical moieties known for LasR antagonism and
generated potent LasR antagonists that are hydrolytically stable across
a range of pH values. Additionally, many of these antagonists do not
exhibit non-monotonic dose effects, delivering probes that inhibit
LasR across a wider range of assay conditions relative to known lactone-based
ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. O’Reilly
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin—Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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43
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Kang SY, Lee JK, Jang JH, Hwang BY, Hong YS. Production of phenylacetyl-homoserine lactone analogs by artificial biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli. Microb Cell Fact 2015; 14:191. [PMID: 26608135 PMCID: PMC4659178 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-015-0379-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quorum sensing (QS) networks are more commonly known as acyl homoserine lactone (HSL) networks. Recently, p-coumaroyl-HSL has been found in a photosynthetic bacterium. p-coumaroyl-HSL is derived from a lignin monomer, p-coumaric acid, rather than a fatty acyl group. The p-coumaroyl-HSL may serve an ecological role in diverse QS pathways between p-coumaroyl-HSL producing bacteria and specific plants. Interference with QS has been regarded as a novel way to control bacterial infections. Heterologous production of the QS molecule, p-coumaroyl-HSL, could provide a sustainable and controlled means for its large-scale production, in contrast to the restricted feedback regulation and extremely low productivity of natural producers. RESULTS We developed an artificial biosynthetic process for phenylacetyl-homoserine lactone analogs, including cinnamoyl-HSL, p-coumaroyl-HSL, caffeoyl-HSL, and feruloyl-HSL, using a bioconversion method via E. coli (CB1) in the co-expression of the codon-optimized LuxI-type synthase (RpaI) and p-coumaroyl-CoA ligase (4CL2nt). In addition to this, we show the de novo production of p-coumaroyl-HSL in heterologous host E. coli (DN1) and tyrosine overproducing E. coli (DN2), containing the rpaI gene in addition to p-coumaroyl-CoA biosynthetic genes. The yields for p-coumaroyl-HSL reached 93.4 ± 0.6 and 142.5 ± 1.0 mg/L in the S-adenosyl-L-methionine and L-methionine feeding culture in the DN2 strain, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of a de novo biosynthesis in a heterologous host yielding a QS molecule, p-coumaroyl-HSL from a glucose medium using a single vector system combining p-coumaroyl-CoA biosynthetic genes and the LuxI-type synthase gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun-Young Kang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Chungbuk, 363-883, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pharmacy Graduate School, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 361-763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae Kyoung Lee
- Chemical Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Chungbuk, 363-883, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Pharmacy Graduate School, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 361-763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jae-Hyuk Jang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Chungbuk, 363-883, Republic of Korea.
| | - Bang Yeon Hwang
- Department of Pharmacy Graduate School, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 361-763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young-Soo Hong
- Chemical Biology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, 30 Yeongudanji-ro, Ochang-eup, Chungbuk, 363-883, Republic of Korea.
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44
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Eibergen NR, Moore JD, Mattmann ME, Blackwell HE. Potent and Selective Modulation of the RhlR Quorum Sensing Receptor by Using Non-native Ligands: An Emerging Target for Virulence Control in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Chembiochem 2015; 16:2348-56. [PMID: 26460240 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses N-acylated L-homoserine lactone signals and a triumvirate of LuxR-type receptor proteins--LasR, RhlR, and QscR--for quorum sensing (QS). Each of these receptors can contribute to QS activation or repression and, thereby, the control of myriad virulence phenotypes in this pathogen. LasR has traditionally been considered to be at the top of the QS receptor hierarchy in P. aeruginosa; however, recent reports suggest that RhlR plays a more prominent role in infection than originally predicted, in some circumstances superseding that of LasR. Herein, we report the characterization of a set of synthetic, small-molecule agonists and antagonists of RhlR. Using E. coli reporter strains, we demonstrated that many of these compounds can selectively activate or inhibit RhlR instead of LasR and QscR. Moreover, several molecules maintain their activities in P. aeruginosa at concentrations analogous to native RhlR signal levels. These compounds represent useful chemical probes to study the role of RhlR in the complex QS circuitry of P. aeruginosa, its direct (and indirect) effects on virulence, and its overall merit as a target for anti-infective therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora R Eibergen
- Dow Microbial Control, The Dow Chemical Company, 400 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Joseph D Moore
- Dow Microbial Control, The Dow Chemical Company, 400 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA, 19426, USA
| | | | - Helen E Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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45
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Gerdt JP, McInnis CE, Schell TL, Blackwell HE. Unraveling the contributions of hydrogen-bonding interactions to the activity of native and non-native ligands in the quorum-sensing receptor LasR. Org Biomol Chem 2015; 13:1453-62. [PMID: 25474181 DOI: 10.1039/c4ob02252a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) via the synthesis and detection of N-acyl L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals regulates important pathogenic and mutualistic phenotypes in many bacteria. Over the past two decades, the development of non-native molecules that modulate this cell-cell signaling process has become an active area of research. The majority of these compounds were designed to block binding of the native AHL signal to its cognate LuxR-type receptor, and much effort has focused on LasR in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Despite a small set of reported LasR structural data, it remains unclear which polar interactions are most important for either (i) activation of the LasR receptor by its native AHL signal, N-(3-oxo)-dodecanoyl L-homoserine lactone (OdDHL), or (ii) activation or inhibition of LasR by related AHL analogs. Herein, we report our investigations into the activity of OdDHL and five synthetic analogs in wild-type LasR and in nine LasR mutants with modifications to key polar residues in their ligand binding sites. Our results allowed us to rank, for the first time, the relative importance of each LasR:OdDHL hydrogen bond for LasR activation and provide strong evidence for the five synthetic ligands binding LasR in a very similar orientation as OdDHL. By delineating the specific molecular interactions that are important for LasR modulation by AHLs, these findings should aid in the design of new synthetic modulators of LasR (and homologous LuxR-type receptors) with improved potencies and selectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Gerdt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706-1322, USA.
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46
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Schweighauser L, Wegner HA. Chemical Talking with Living Systems: Molecular Switches Steer Quorum Sensing in Bacteria. Chembiochem 2015; 16:1709-11. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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47
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Van der Berg JP, Velema WA, Szymanski W, Driessen AJM, Feringa BL. Controlling the activity of quorum sensing autoinducers with light. Chem Sci 2015; 6:3593-3598. [PMID: 29511521 PMCID: PMC5659144 DOI: 10.1039/c5sc00215j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria use Quorum Sensing (QS) to organize into communities and synchronize gene expression. Here we report on a method to externally interfere with QS system using light.
Bacteria use a communication system, called quorum sensing (QS), to organize into communities and synchronize gene expression to promote virulence and secure survival. Here we report on a proof-of-principle for externally interfering with this bacterial communication system, using light. By employing photoswitchable small molecules, we were able to photocontrol the QS-related bioluminescence in an Escherichia coli reporter strain, and the expression of target QS genes and pyocyanin production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Van der Berg
- Molecular Microbiology , Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands .
| | - W A Velema
- Center for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands .
| | - W Szymanski
- Center for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands . .,Department of Radiology , University of Groningen , University Medical Centre Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands
| | - A J M Driessen
- Molecular Microbiology , Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands .
| | - B L Feringa
- Center for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands .
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48
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O’Brien K, Noto JG, Nichols-O’Neill L, Perez LJ. Potent Irreversible Inhibitors of LasR Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. ACS Med Chem Lett 2015; 6:162-7. [PMID: 25699144 PMCID: PMC4329587 DOI: 10.1021/ml500459f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 12/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Antagonism of quorum sensing represents a promising new antivirulence approach for the treatment of bacterial infection. The development of a novel series of non-natural irreversible antagonists of P. aeruginosa LasR is described. The lead compounds identified (25 and 28) display potent LasR antagonist activity and inhibit expression of the P. aeruginosa virulence factors pyocyanin and biofilm formation in PAO1 and PA14.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luke Nichols-O’Neill
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
| | - Lark J. Perez
- Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, New Jersey 08028, United States
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49
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Ruer S, Pinotsis N, Steadman D, Waksman G, Remaut H. Virulence-targeted Antibacterials: Concept, Promise, and Susceptibility to Resistance Mechanisms. Chem Biol Drug Des 2015; 86:379-99. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.12517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ségolène Ruer
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology; Structural Biology Research Center; VIB; Pleinlaan 2 Brussels 1050 Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Pleinlaan 2 Brussels 1050 Belgium
| | - Nikos Pinotsis
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB); UCL and Birkbeck College; London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - David Steadman
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research (WIBR); UCL; London WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Gabriel Waksman
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB); UCL and Birkbeck College; London WC1E 7HX UK
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural and Molecular Microbiology; Structural Biology Research Center; VIB; Pleinlaan 2 Brussels 1050 Belgium
- Structural Biology Brussels; Vrije Universiteit Brussel; Pleinlaan 2 Brussels 1050 Belgium
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50
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Welsh MA, Eibergen NR, Moore JD, Blackwell HE. Small molecule disruption of quorum sensing cross-regulation in pseudomonas aeruginosa causes major and unexpected alterations to virulence phenotypes. J Am Chem Soc 2015; 137:1510-9. [PMID: 25574853 DOI: 10.1021/ja5110798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses three interwoven quorum-sensing (QS) circuits-Las, Rhl, and Pqs-to regulate the global expression of myriad virulence-associated genes. Interception of these signaling networks with small molecules represents an emerging strategy for the development of anti-infective agents against this bacterium. In the current study, we applied a chemical approach to investigate how the Las-Rhl-Pqs QS hierarchy coordinates key virulence phenotypes in wild-type P. aeruginosa. We screened a focused library of synthetic, non-native N-acyl l-homoserine lactones and identified compounds that can drastically alter production of two important virulence factors: pyocyanin and rhamnolipid. We demonstrate that these molecules act by targeting RhlR in P. aeruginosa, a QS receptor that has seen far less scrutiny to date relative to other circuitry. Unexpectedly, modulation of RhlR activity by a single compound induces inverse regulation of pyocyanin and rhamnolipid, a result that was not predicted using genetic approaches to interrogate QS in P. aeruginosa. Further, we show that certain RhlR agonists strongly repress Pqs signaling, revealing disruption of Rhl-Pqs cross-regulation as a novel mechanism for QS inhibition. These compounds significantly expand the known repertoire of chemical probes available to study RhlR in P. aeruginosa. Moreover, our results suggest that designing chemical agents to disrupt Rhl-Pqs crosstalk could be an effective antivirulence strategy to fight this common pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Welsh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1101 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
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