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Schlichter Kadosh Y, Muthuraman S, Nisaa K, Ben-Zvi A, Karsagi Byron DL, Shagan M, Brandis A, Mehlman T, Gopas J, Saravana Kumar R, Kushmaro A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing and biofilm attenuation by a di-hydroxy derivative of piperlongumine (PL-18). Biofilm 2024; 8:100215. [PMID: 39148892 PMCID: PMC11326495 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacterial communication, Quorum Sensing (QS), is a target against virulence and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections. 16 derivatives of Piperlongumine (PL), an amide alkaloid from Piper longum L., were screened for QS inhibition. PL-18 had the best QSI activity. PL-18 inhibited the lasR-lasI, rhlR-rhlI, and pqs QS systems of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PL-18 inhibited pyocyanin and rhamnolipids that are QS-controlled virulence elements. Iron is an essential element for pathogenicity, biofilm formation and resilience in harsh environments, its uptake was inhibited by PL-18. Pl-18 significantly reduced the biofilm biovolume including in established biofilms. PL-18-coated silicon tubes significantly inhibited biofilm formation. The transcriptome study of treated P. aeruginosa showed that PL-18 indeed reduced the expression of QS and iron homeostasis related genes, and up regulated sulfur metabolism related genes. Altogether, PL-18 inhibits QS, virulence, iron uptake, and biofilm formation. Thus, PL-18 should be further developed against bacterial infection, antibiotic resistance, and biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Schlichter Kadosh
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Khairun Nisaa
- Department of Life Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Anat Ben-Zvi
- Department of Life Science, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Danit Lisa Karsagi Byron
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Marilou Shagan
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Alexander Brandis
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tevie Mehlman
- Department of Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Jacob Gopas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | | | - Ariel Kushmaro
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- The Ilse Katz Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
- School of Sustainability and Climate Change, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
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2
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Etlin S, Rose J, Bielski L, Walter C, Kleinman AS, Mason CE. The human microbiome in space: parallels between Earth-based dysbiosis, implications for long-duration spaceflight, and possible mitigation strategies. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0016322. [PMID: 39136453 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00163-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYThe human microbiota encompasses the diverse communities of microorganisms that reside in, on, and around various parts of the human body, such as the skin, nasal passages, and gastrointestinal tract. Although research is ongoing, it is well established that the microbiota exert a substantial influence on the body through the production and modification of metabolites and small molecules. Disruptions in the composition of the microbiota-dysbiosis-have also been linked to various negative health outcomes. As humans embark upon longer-duration space missions, it is important to understand how the conditions of space travel impact the microbiota and, consequently, astronaut health. This article will first characterize the main taxa of the human gut microbiota and their associated metabolites, before discussing potential dysbiosis and negative health consequences. It will also detail the microbial changes observed in astronauts during spaceflight, focusing on gut microbiota composition and pathogenic virulence and survival. Analysis will then turn to how astronaut health may be protected from adverse microbial changes via diet, exercise, and antibiotics before concluding with a discussion of the microbiota of spacecraft and microbial culturing methods in space. The implications of this review are critical, particularly with NASA's ongoing implementation of the Moon to Mars Architecture, which will include weeks or months of living in space and new habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Etlin
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- BioAstra Inc., New York, New York, USA
| | - Julianna Rose
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- BioAstra Inc., New York, New York, USA
| | - Luca Bielski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Claire Walter
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
- BioAstra Inc., New York, New York, USA
| | - Ashley S Kleinman
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- BioAstra Inc., New York, New York, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Tri-Institutional Biology and Medicine program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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Sachdeva C, Satyamoorthy K, Murali TS. Pseudomonas aeruginosa: metabolic allies and adversaries in the world of polymicrobial infections. Crit Rev Microbiol 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39225080 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2024.2397359] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), an opportunistic human pathogen that is frequently linked with chronic infections in immunocompromised individuals, is also metabolically versatile, and thrives in diverse environments. Additionally, studies report that PA can interact with other microorganisms, such as bacteria, and fungi, producing unique metabolites that can modulate the host immune response, and contribute to disease pathogenesis. This review summarizes the current knowledge related to the metabolic interactions of PA with other microorganisms (Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, and Candida) and human hosts, and the importance of these interactions in a polymicrobial context. Further, we highlight the potential applications of studying these metabolic interactions toward designing better diagnostic tools, and therapeutic strategies to prevent, and treat infections caused by this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandni Sachdeva
- Department of Public Health Genomics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
- SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) University, Sattur, Karnataka, India
| | - Thokur Sreepathy Murali
- Department of Public Health Genomics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
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Mini M, Jayakumar D, Kumar P. In-silico and in-vitro assessment of the antibiofilm potential of azo dye, carmoisine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:6700-6710. [PMID: 37485898 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2237579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm is a community of microorganisms attached to the substrate and plays a significant role in microbial pathogenesis and medical device-related infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a highly infectious gram-negative opportunistic biofilm-forming bacterium with high antibiotic resistance. Several reports underscore the antimicrobial activity of natural and synthetic food coloring agents, including carmoisine, turmeric dye, red amaranth dye, and phloxine B. However, their ability to suppress the PA biofilm is not clearly understood. Carmoisine is a red-colored synthetic azo dye containing naphthalene subunits and sulfonic groups and is widely used as a food coloring agent. This study investigated the antibiofilm potential and possible mechanism of biofilm inhibition by carmoisine against PA. Computational studies through molecular docking revealed that carmoisine strongly binds to QS regulator LasR (-12.7) and relatively less strongly but significantly with WspR (-6.9). Further analysis of the docked LasR-carmoisine complex using 100 ns MD simulation (Desmond, Schrödinger) validated the bonding strength and stability. Crystal violet assay, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride salt assay, and confocal microscopic studies were adopted for biofilm quantification, and the results indicated the dose-dependent antibiofilm activity of carmoisine against PA. We hypothesise that the carmoisine-mediated reduction of biofilm in PA is due to its interaction with LasR and interference with the QS system. The computational and biochemical analysis of another compound, 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonic acid, reiterated the role of the naphthalene ring in biofilm inhibition. Hence, this work will pave the way for the future discovery of antibiofilm drugs based on naphthalene ring-based lead compounds.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minsa Mini
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Devi Jayakumar
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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David A, Tahrioui A, Tareau AS, Forge A, Gonzalez M, Bouffartigues E, Lesouhaitier O, Chevalier S. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Lifecycle: Involvement of Mechanical Constraints and Timeline of Matrix Production. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:688. [PMID: 39199987 PMCID: PMC11350761 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080688] [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: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing acute and chronic infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Its remarkable adaptability and resistance to various antimicrobial treatments make it difficult to eradicate. Its persistence is enabled by its ability to form a biofilm. Biofilm is a community of sessile micro-organisms in a self-produced extracellular matrix, which forms a scaffold facilitating cohesion, cell attachment, and micro- and macro-colony formation. This lifestyle provides protection against environmental stresses, the immune system, and antimicrobial treatments, and confers the capacity for colonization and long-term persistence, often characterizing chronic infections. In this review, we retrace the events of the life cycle of P. aeruginosa biofilm, from surface perception/contact to cell spreading. We focus on the importance of extracellular appendages, mechanical constraints, and the kinetics of matrix component production in each step of the biofilm life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sylvie Chevalier
- Univ Rouen Normandie, Univ Caen Normandie, Normandie Univ, CBSA UR 4312, F-76000 Rouen, France
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Alimiran F, David S, Birks S, Oldham A, Henderson D. N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Production by the Marine Isolate, Dasania marina. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1496. [PMID: 39065264 PMCID: PMC11279243 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071496] [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: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Dasania marina (isolate SD1D, with 98.5% sequence similarity to Dasania marina DMS 21967 KOPRI 20902) is a marine bacterium that was isolated from ballast tank fluids as part of a biofilm study in 2014. Our previous work indicated that although this strain produced no detectable biofilm, it was the only isolate to produce N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in assays using the broad-range reporter strain, Agrobacterium tumefaciens KYC55. The goal of the current study was to determine the types of AHL molecules produced by the D. marina isolate using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GCMS) and C4- to C14-AHL as standards. A time course assay indicated that the D. marina strain produced the highest level of AHLs at 20 h of growth. When extracts were subjected to GCMS, detectable levels of C8- and C10-AHL and higher levels of C12-AHL were observed. Interestingly, several biofilm-forming isolates obtained from the same source also produced detectable amounts of several AHLs. Of the isolates tested, a strain designated SD5, with 99.83% sequence similarity to Alteromonas tagae BCRC 17571, produced unstable biofilms, yet detectable levels of C6-, C8-, C10- and C12-AHL, and isolate SD8, an Alteromonas oceani S35 strain (98.85% sequence similarity), produced robust and stable biofilms accompanied by detectable levels of C8- and C12-AHL. All isolates tested produced C12-AHL at higher levels than the other AHLs. Results from this study suggest that quorum sensing and biofilm formation are uncoupled in D. marina. Whether the suite of AHLs produced by this isolate could modulate biofilm formation in other strains requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fnu Alimiran
- Department of Biology, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX 79762, USA; (F.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Samuel David
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR 97520, USA; (S.D.)
| | - Scott Birks
- Department of Chemistry, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR 97520, USA; (S.D.)
| | - Athenia Oldham
- Department of Biology, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX 79762, USA; (F.A.); (A.O.)
| | - Douglas Henderson
- Department of Biology, University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Odessa, TX 79762, USA; (F.A.); (A.O.)
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7
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Çevikbaş H, Ulusoy S, Kaya Kinaytürk N. Exploring rose absolute and phenylethyl alcohol as novel quorum sensing inhibitors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15666. [PMID: 38977845 PMCID: PMC11231148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66888-z] [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: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Inter-cellular signaling, referred to as quorum sensing (QS), regulates the production of virulence factors in numerous gram-negative bacteria, such as the human pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum. QS inhibition may provide an opportunity for the treatment of bacterial infections. This represents the initial study to examine the antibiofilm and antivirulence capabilities of rose absolute and its primary component, phenylethyl alcohol. QS inhibition was assessed by examining extracellular exopolysaccharide synthesis, biofilm development, and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1, along with violacein production in C. violaceum ATCC 12472. Molecular docking analysis was conducted to explore the mechanism by which PEA inhibits QS. Our results indicate that rose absolute and PEA caused decrease in EPS production (60.5-33.5%), swarming motility (94.7-64.5%), and biofilm formation (98.53-55.5%) in the human pathogen P. aeruginosa PAO1. Violacein production decreased by 98.1% and 62.5% with an absolute (0.5 v/v %) and PEA (2 mM). Moreover, the molecular docking analysis revealed a promising competitive interaction between PEA and AHLs. Consequently, this study offers valuable insights into the potential of rose absolute and PEA as inhibitors of QS in P. aeruginosa and C. violaceum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halime Çevikbaş
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biology Department, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Seyhan Ulusoy
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biology Department, Süleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey.
| | - Neslihan Kaya Kinaytürk
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Department, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, 15100, Turkey
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8
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Romero-González LE, Montelongo-Martínez LF, González-Valdez A, Quiroz-Morales SE, Cocotl-Yañez M, Franco-Cendejas R, Soberón-Chávez G, Pardo-López L, Bustamante VH. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Water Samples of the Gulf of Mexico Show Similar Virulence Properties but Different Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles than Clinical Isolates. Int J Microbiol 2024; 2024:6959403. [PMID: 38784405 PMCID: PMC11115996 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6959403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen found in a wide variety of environments, including soil, water, and habitats associated with animals, humans, and plants. From a One Health perspective, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, it is important to study the virulence characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility of environmental bacteria. In this study, we compared the virulence properties and the antibiotic resistance profiles of seven isolates collected from the Gulf of Mexico with those of seven clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. Our results indicate that the marine and clinical isolates tested exhibit similar virulence properties; they expressed different virulence factors and were able to kill Galleria mellonella larvae, an animal model commonly used to analyze the pathogenicity of many bacteria, including P. aeruginosa. In contrast, the clinical strains showed higher antibiotic resistance than the marine isolates. Consistently, the clinical strains exhibited a higher prevalence of class 1 integron, an indicator of anthropogenic impact, compared with the marine isolates. Thus, our results indicate that the P. aeruginosa marine strains analyzed in this study, isolated from the Gulf of Mexico, have similar virulence properties, but lower antibiotic resistance, than those from hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E. Romero-González
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Luis F. Montelongo-Martínez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Abigail González-Valdez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Sara E. Quiroz-Morales
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Miguel Cocotl-Yañez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Rafael Franco-Cendejas
- Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación “Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra,” Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gloria Soberón-Chávez
- Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Liliana Pardo-López
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Víctor H. Bustamante
- Departamento de Microbiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
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9
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Hartmann A, Binder T, Rothballer M. Quorum sensing-related activities of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria have important implications for plant and human health. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2024; 100:fiae076. [PMID: 38744663 PMCID: PMC11149725 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiae076] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic organisms coevolved with microbes from the environment forming holobiotic meta-genomic units. Members of host-associated microbiomes have commensalic, beneficial/symbiotic, or pathogenic phenotypes. More than 100 years ago, Lorenz Hiltner, pioneer of soil microbiology, introduced the term 'Rhizosphere' to characterize the observation that a high density of saprophytic, beneficial, and pathogenic microbes are attracted by root exudates. The balance between these types of microbes decide about the health of the host. Nowadays we know, that for the interaction of microbes with all eukaryotic hosts similar principles and processes of cooperative and competitive functions are in action. Small diffusible molecules like (phyto)hormones, volatiles and quorum sensing signals are examples for mediators of interspecies and cross-kingdom interactions. Quorum sensing of bacteria is mediated by different autoinducible metabolites in a density-dependent manner. In this perspective publication, the role of QS-related activities for the health of hosts will be discussed focussing mostly on N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL). It is also considered that in some cases very close phylogenetic relations exist between plant beneficial and opportunistic human pathogenic bacteria. Based on a genome and system-targeted new understanding, sociomicrobiological solutions are possible for the biocontrol of diseases and the health improvement of eukaryotic hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Hartmann
- Faculty of Biology, Microbe-Host Interactions, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Grosshaderner Str. 2, D-82152 Planegg/Martinsried, Germany
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Health and Environment, Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85762 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tatiana Binder
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Health and Environment, Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85762 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Rothballer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Health and Environment, Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, D-85762 Neuherberg, Germany
- Helmholtz Zentrum Munich, German Research Center for Health and Environment, Institute of Network Biology, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1 D-85762 Neuherberg, Germany
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10
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Fu S, Song W, Han X, Chen L, Shen L. Veratryl Alcohol Attenuates the Virulence and Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mainly via Targeting las Quorum-Sensing System. Microorganisms 2024; 12:985. [PMID: 38792814 PMCID: PMC11123940 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050985] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that usually causes chronic infections and even death in patients. The treatment of P. aeruginosa infection has become more challenging due to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the slow pace of new antibiotic development. Therefore, it is essential to explore non-antibiotic methods. A new strategy involves screening for drugs that target the quorum-sensing (QS) system. The QS system regulates the infection and drug resistance in P. aeruginosa. In this study, veratryl alcohol (VA) was found as an effective QS inhibitor (QSI). It effectively suppressed the expression of QS-related genes and the subsequent production of virulence factors under the control of QS including elastase, protease, pyocyanin and rhamnolipid at sub-inhibitory concentrations. In addition, motility activity and biofilm formation, which were correlated with the infection of P. aeruginosa, were also suppressed by VA. In vivo experiments demonstrated that VA could weaken the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa in Chinese cabbage, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans infection models. Molecular docking, combined with QS quintuple mutant infection analysis, identified that the mechanism of VA could target the LasR protein of the las system mainly. Moreover, VA increased the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to conventional antibiotics of tobramycin, kanamycin and gentamicin. The results firstly demonstrate that VA is a promising QSI to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Lixin Shen
- Key Laboratory of Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710069, China; (S.F.); (W.S.); (X.H.); (L.C.)
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11
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Oza Y, Patel R, Patel D, Shukla A. Taming Pseudomonas aeruginosa AM26 the barbarian: Targeting the PQS quorum sensing network using crude mandarin extract. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:116212. [PMID: 38387214 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116212] [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: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the most notorious organisms, causes fatal diseases like-, meningitis, pneumonia as well as worsens the prognosis of cystic fibrosis patients. It is also multi-drug resistant and resists a wide range of antibiotics. Attempts have been made to reduce its virulence/pathogenic potential using a number of organic compounds. For this purpose, the Quorum sensing (QS) system of P. aeruginosa was targeted, which regulates its virulence. Pseudomonas Quinolone System (PQS), one of the four quorum sensing systems, producing pyocyanin pigment was chosen. 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (HHQ) is a ligand which binds to PQS protein is responsible for pyocyanin pigment production. Attempts were made to find a compound analogous to HHQ which could bind to PQS active site and inhibit the pigment formation. In-silico analysis was performed to estimate possible interactions and to find/predict the possible PQS inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Oza
- National Centre for Cell Science, Pune Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus Ganeshkhind Road, Pune, 411007, Maharashtra State, India
| | - Rohit Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, 380009, Gujarat, India
| | - Dhara Patel
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, 382426, Gujarat, India
| | - Arpit Shukla
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Advanced Research, Gandhinagar, 382426, Gujarat, India.
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12
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Hassan RM, Yehia H, El-Behairy MF, El-Azzouny AAS, Aboul-Enein MN. Design and synthesis of new quinazolinone derivatives: investigation of antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition effects. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10830-y. [PMID: 38656598 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10830-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
New quinazolin-4-ones 9-32 were synthesized in an attempt to overcome the life-threatening antibiotic resistance phenomenon. The antimicrobial screening revealed that compounds 9, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 and 29 are the most broad spectrum antimicrobial agents in this study with safe profile on human cell lines. Additionally, compounds 19 and 20 inhibited biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is regulated by quorum sensing system, at sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) with IC50 values 3.55 and 6.86 µM, respectively. By assessing other pseudomonal virulence factors suppression, it was found that compound 20 decreased cell surface hydrophobicity compromising bacterial cells adhesion, while both compounds 19 and 20 curtailed the exopolysaccharide production which constitutes the major component of the matrix binding biofilm components together. Also, at sub-MICs Pseudomonas cells twitching motility was impeded by compounds 19 and 20, a trait which augments the cells pathogenicity and invasion potential. Molecular docking study was performed to further evaluate the binding mode of candidates 19 and 20 as inhibitors of P. aeruginosa quorum sensing transcriptional regulator PqsR. The achieved results demonstrate that both compounds bear promising potential for discovering new anti-biofilm and quorum quenching agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa without triggering resistance mechanisms as the normal bacterial life cycle is not disturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha Mohamed Hassan
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Heba Yehia
- Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohammed F El-Behairy
- Department of Organic and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, 32897, Sadat City, Egypt
| | - Aida Abdel-Sattar El-Azzouny
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Nabil Aboul-Enein
- Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre (ID: 60014618), P.O. 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.
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13
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Song C, Liu R, Yin D, Xie C, Liang Y, Yang D, Jiang M, Zhang H, Shen N. A Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Unveils the Mechanisms of Response in Feather Degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-7. Microorganisms 2024; 12:841. [PMID: 38674785 PMCID: PMC11052024 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12040841] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial degradation of feathers offers potential for bioremediation, yet the microbial response mechanisms warrant additional investigation. In prior work, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-7, which demonstrated robust degradation of feathers at elevated concentrations, was isolated. However, the molecular mechanism of this degradation remains only partially understood. To investigate this, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to examine the genes that were expressed differentially in P. aeruginosa Gxun-7 when exposed to 25 g/L of feather substrate. The RNA-seq analysis identified 5571 differentially expressed genes; of these, 795 were upregulated and 603 were downregulated. Upregulated genes primarily participated in proteolysis, amino acid, and pyruvate metabolism. Genes encoding proteases, as well as those involved in sulfur metabolism, phenazine synthesis, and type VI secretion systems, were notably elevated, highlighting their crucial function in feather decomposition. Integration of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) taxonomies, combined with a review of the literature, led us to propose that metabolic feather degradation involves environmental activation, reducing agent secretion, protease release, peptide/amino acid uptake, and metabolic processes. Sulfite has emerged as a critical activator of keratinase catalysis, while cysteine serves as a regulatory mediator. qRT-PCR assay results for 11 selected gene subset corroborated the RNA-seq findings. This study enhances our understanding of the transcriptomic responses of P. aeruginosa Gxun-7 to feather degradation and offers insights into potential degradation mechanisms, thereby aiding in the formulation of effective feather waste management strategies in poultry farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaodong Song
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Rui Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Doudou Yin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Chenjie Xie
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Ying Liang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Dengfeng Yang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Guangxi Beibu Gulf Marine Research Center, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, No. 98, Daxue Road, Nanning 530007, China;
| | - Mingguo Jiang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Hongyan Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
| | - Naikun Shen
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Polysaccharide Materials and Modification, School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning 530000, China; (C.S.); (R.L.); (D.Y.); (C.X.); (Y.L.); (M.J.)
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14
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Manson DE, Ananiev GE, Guo S, Ericksen SS, Santa EE, Blackwell HE. Abiotic Small Molecule Inhibitors and Activators of the LasR Quorum Sensing Receptor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Potencies Comparable or Surpassing N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1212-1221. [PMID: 38506163 PMCID: PMC11014758 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa controls almost 10% of its genome, including myriad virulence genes, via a cell-to-cell chemical communication system called quorum sensing (QS). Small molecules that either inhibit or activate QS in P. aeruginosa represent useful research tools to study the role of this signaling pathway in infection and interrogate its viability as an antivirulence target. However, despite active research in this area over the past 20+ years, there are relatively few synthetic compounds known to strongly inhibit or activate QS in P. aeruginosa. Most reported QS modulators in this pathogen are of low potency or have structural liabilities that limit their application in biologically relevant environments such as mimics of the native N-acyl l-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals. Here, we report the results of a high-throughput screen for abiotic small molecules that target LasR, a key QS regulator in P. aeruginosa. We screened a 25,000-compound library and discovered four new structural classes of abiotic LasR modulators. These compounds include antagonists that surpass the potency of all known AHL-type compounds and mimetics thereof, along with an agonist with potency approaching that of LasR's native ligand. The novel structures of this compound set, along with their anticipated robust physicochemical profiles, underscore their potential value as probe molecules to interrogate the roles of QS in this formidable pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Manson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1101 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Gene E Ananiev
- Small Molecule Screening Facility, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53792, United States
| | - Song Guo
- Small Molecule Screening Facility, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53792, United States
| | - Spencer S Ericksen
- Small Molecule Screening Facility, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53792, United States
| | - Emma E Santa
- 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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15
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He Y, Jin Z, Cui Y, Song K, Chen B, Zhou L. RsaL is a self-regulatory switch that controls alternative biosynthesis of two AHL-type quorum sensing signals in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1201. MLIFE 2024; 3:74-86. [PMID: 38827515 PMCID: PMC11139201 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a ubiquitous and metabolically versatile microorganism naturally found in soil and water. It is also an opportunistic pathogen in plants, insects, animals, and humans. In response to increasing cell density, P. aeruginosa uses two acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing (QS) signals (i.e., N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl homoserine lactone [3-oxo-C12-HSL] and N-butanoyl-homoserine lactone [C4-HSL]), which regulate the expression of hundreds of genes. However, how the biosynthesis of these two QS signals is coordinated remains unknown. We studied the regulation of these two QS signals in the rhizosphere strain PA1201. PA1201 sequentially produced 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C4-HSL at the early and late growth stages, respectively. The highest 3-oxo-C12-HSL-dependent elastase activity was observed at the early stage, while the highest C4-HSL-dependent rhamnolipid production was observed at the late stage. The atypical regulator RsaL played a pivotal role in coordinating 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C4-HSL biosynthesis and QS-associated virulence. RsaL repressed lasI transcription by binding the -10 and -35 boxes of the lasI promoter. In contrast, RsaL activated rhlI transcription by binding the region encoding the 5'-untranslated region of the rhlI mRNA. Further, RsaL repressed its own expression by binding a nucleotide motif located in the -35 box of the rsaL promoter. Thus, RsaL acts as a molecular switch that coordinates the sequential biosynthesis of AHL QS signals and differential virulence in PA1201. Finally, C4-HSL activation by RsaL was independent of the Las and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) QS signaling systems. Therefore, we propose a new model of the QS regulatory network in PA1201, in which RsaL represents a superior player acting at the top of the hierarchy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya‐Wen He
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, SJTU‐NLBP Joint R&D Centre for Biopesticides and Biofertilizers, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zi‐Jing Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, SJTU‐NLBP Joint R&D Centre for Biopesticides and Biofertilizers, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, SJTU‐NLBP Joint R&D Centre for Biopesticides and Biofertilizers, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kai Song
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, SJTU‐NLBP Joint R&D Centre for Biopesticides and Biofertilizers, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Bo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic and Developmental Sciences, SJTU‐NLBP Joint R&D Centre for Biopesticides and Biofertilizers, School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lian Zhou
- Zhiyuan Innovative Research Centre, Student Innovation Centre, Zhiyuan CollegeShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiChina
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16
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Mohan A, Rajan PP, Kumar P, Jayakumar D, Mini M, Asha S, Vaikkathillam P. Theophylline as a quorum sensing and biofilm inhibitor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum. Int Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s10123-024-00487-w. [PMID: 38342794 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-024-00487-w] [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: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is pivotal in coordinating virulence factors and biofilm formation in various pathogenic bacteria, making it a prime target for disrupting bacterial communication. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a member of the "ESKAPE" group of bacterial pathogens known for their association with antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation. The current antibiotic arsenal falls short of addressing biofilm-related infections effectively, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic agents. In this study, we explored the anti-QS and anti-biofilm properties of theophylline against two significant pathogens, Chromobacterium violaceum and P. aeruginosa. The production of violacein, pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and protease was carried out, along with the evaluation of biofilm formation through methods including crystal violet staining, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay, and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, computational analyses were conducted to predict the targets of theophylline in the QS pathways of P. aeruginosa and C. violaceum. Our study demonstrated that theophylline effectively inhibits QS activity and biofilm formation in C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa. In P. aeruginosa, theophylline inhibited the production of key virulence factors, including pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, protease, and biofilm formation. The computational analyses suggest that theophylline exhibits robust binding affinity to CviR in C. violaceum and RhlR in P. aeruginosa, key participants in the QS-mediated biofilm pathways. Furthermore, theophylline also displays promising interactions with LasR and QscR in P. aeruginosa. Our study highlights theophylline as a versatile anti-QS agent and offers a promising avenue for future research to develop novel therapeutic strategies against biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Mohan
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
| | - Pooja P Rajan
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
| | - Praveen Kumar
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India.
| | - Devi Jayakumar
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
| | - Minsa Mini
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
| | - Sneha Asha
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
| | - Parvathi Vaikkathillam
- Department of Zoology, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, -695014, Kerala, India
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17
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Venkatramanan M, Nalini E. Regulation of virulence in Chromobacterium violaceum and strategies to combat it. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1303595. [PMID: 38328423 PMCID: PMC10847564 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1303595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Chromobacterium is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic bacteria with a cosmopolitan distribution. Just about 160 Chromobacterium violaceum incidents have been reported globally, but then once infected, it has the ability to cause deadly septicemia, and infections in the lungs, liver, brain, spleen, and lymphatic systems that might lead to death. C. violaceum produces and utilizes violacein to kill bacteria that compete with it in an ecological niche. Violacein is a hydrophobic bisindole that is delivered through an efficient transport route termed outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) through the aqueous environment. OMVs are small, spherical segments detached from the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. C. violaceum OMV secretions are controlled by a mechanism called the quorum sensing system CviI/CviR, which enables cell-to-cell communication between them and regulation of various virulence factors such as biofilm formation, and violacein biosynthesis. Another virulence factor bacterial type 3 secretion system (T3SS) is divided into two types: Cpi-1 and Cpi-2. Cpi-1's needle and rod effector proteins are perhaps recognized by NAIP receptors in humans and mice, activating the NLRC4 inflammasome cascade, effectively clearing spleen infections via pyroptosis, and cytotoxicity mediated by IL-18-driven Natural killer (NK) cells in the liver. In this paper, we attempt to interrelate quorum-controlled biofilm formation, violacein production, violacein delivery by OMVs and T3SS effector protein production and host mediated immunological effects against the Cpi1 of T3SS. We suggest a research path with natural bioactive molecule like palmitic acid that can act as an anti-quorum agent by reducing the expression of virulence factors as well as an immunomodulatory agent that can augment innate immune defense by hyperactivation of NLRC4 inflammasome hence dramatically purge C. violaceum infections.
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18
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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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19
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Perković I, Poljak T, Savijoki K, Varmanen P, Maravić-Vlahoviček G, Beus M, Kučević A, Džajić I, Rajić Z. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of New Quinoline and Anthranilic Acid Derivatives as Potential Quorum Sensing Inhibitors. Molecules 2023; 28:5866. [PMID: 37570836 PMCID: PMC10420644 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting quorum sensing (QS), a central communication system, is a promising strategy to combat bacterial pathogens without antibiotics. Here, we designed novel hybrid compounds targeting the PQS (Pseudomonas quinolone signal)-dependent quorum sensing (QS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is one of the multidrug-resistant and highly virulent pathogens with urgent need of new antibacterial strategies. We synthesized 12 compounds using standard procedures to combine halogen-substituted anthranilic acids with 4-(2-aminoethyl/4-aminobuthyl)amino-7-chloroquinoline, linked via 1,3,4-oxadiazole. Their antibiofilm activities were first pre-screened using Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum-based reporter, which identified compounds 15-19 and 23 with the highest anti-QS and minimal bactericidal effects in a single experiment. These five compounds were then evaluated against P. aeruginosa PAO1 to assess their ability to prevent biofilm formation, eradicate pre-formed biofilms, and inhibit virulence using pyocyanin as a representative marker. Compound 15 displayed the most potent antibiofilm effect, reducing biofilm formation by nearly 50% and pre-formed biofilm masses by 25%. On the other hand, compound 23 exhibited the most significant antivirulence effect, reducing pyocyanin synthesis by over 70%. Thus, our study highlights the potential of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 15 and 23 as promising scaffolds to combat P. aeruginosa. Additionally, interactive QS systems should be considered to achieve maximal anti-QS activity against this clinically relevant species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Perković
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | | | - Kirsi Savijoki
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Pekka Varmanen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Gordana Maravić-Vlahoviček
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Maja Beus
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Anja Kučević
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
| | - Ivan Džajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Zrinka Rajić
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (G.M.-V.); (M.B.); (A.K.); (Z.R.)
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20
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Sánchez-Jiménez A, Llamas MA, Marcos-Torres FJ. Transcriptional Regulators Controlling Virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11895. [PMID: 37569271 PMCID: PMC10418997 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511895] [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: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen capable of colonizing virtually every human tissue. The host colonization competence and versatility of this pathogen are powered by a wide array of virulence factors necessary in different steps of the infection process. This includes factors involved in bacterial motility and attachment, biofilm formation, the production and secretion of extracellular invasive enzymes and exotoxins, the production of toxic secondary metabolites, and the acquisition of iron. Expression of these virulence factors during infection is tightly regulated, which allows their production only when they are needed. This process optimizes host colonization and virulence. In this work, we review the intricate network of transcriptional regulators that control the expression of virulence factors in P. aeruginosa, including one- and two-component systems and σ factors. Because inhibition of virulence holds promise as a target for new antimicrobials, blocking the regulators that trigger the production of virulence determinants in P. aeruginosa is a promising strategy to fight this clinically relevant pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María A. Llamas
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain;
| | - Francisco Javier Marcos-Torres
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Estación Experimental del Zaidín-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 18008 Granada, Spain;
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