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Woods KE, Akhter S, Rodriguez B, Townsend KA, Smith N, Smith B, Wambua A, Craddock V, Abisado-Duque RG, Santa EE, Manson DE, Oakley BR, Hancock LE, Miao Y, Blackwell HE, Chandler JR. Characterization of natural product inhibitors of quorum sensing reveals competitive inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa RhlR by ortho-vanillin. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0068124. [PMID: 39046261 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00681-24] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-cell signaling system that enables bacteria to coordinate population density-dependent changes in behavior. This chemical communication pathway is mediated by diffusible N-acyl L-homoserine lactone signals and cytoplasmic signal-responsive LuxR-type receptors in Gram-negative bacteria. As many common pathogenic bacteria use QS to regulate virulence, there is significant interest in disrupting QS as a potential therapeutic strategy. Prior studies have implicated the natural products salicylic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and other related benzaldehyde derivatives as inhibitors of QS in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yet we lack an understanding of the mechanisms by which these compounds function. Herein, we evaluate the activity of a set of benzaldehyde derivatives using heterologous reporters of the P. aeruginosa LasR and RhlR QS signal receptors. We find that most tested benzaldehyde derivatives can antagonize LasR or RhlR reporter activation at micromolar concentrations, although certain molecules also cause mild growth defects and nonspecific reporter antagonism. Notably, several compounds showed promising RhlR or LasR-specific inhibitory activities over a range of concentrations below that causing toxicity. ortho-Vanillin, a previously untested compound, was the most promising within this set. Competition experiments against the native ligands for LasR and RhlR revealed that ortho-vanillin can interact competitively with RhlR but not with LasR. Overall, these studies expand our understanding of benzaldehyde activities in the LasR and RhlR receptors and reveal potentially promising effects of ortho-vanillin as a small molecule QS modulator against RhlR. IMPORTANCE Quorum sensing (QS) regulates many aspects of bacterial pathogenesis and has attracted much interest as a target for anti-virulence therapies over the past 30 years, for example, antagonists of the LasR and RhlR QS receptors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Potent and selective QS inhibitors remain relatively scarce. However, natural products have provided a bounty of chemical scaffolds with anti-QS activities, but their molecular mechanisms are poorly characterized. The current study serves to fill this void by examining the activity of an important and wide-spread class of natural product QS modulators, benzaldehydes, and related derivatives, in LasR and RhlR. We demonstrate that ortho-vanillin can act as a competitive inhibitor of RhlR, a receptor that has emerged and may supplant LasR in certain settings as a target for P. aeruginosa QS control. The results and insights provided herein will advance the design of chemical tools to study QS with improved activities and selectivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Woods
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Sana Akhter
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Blanca Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Kade A Townsend
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Nathan Smith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Ben Smith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Alice Wambua
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Vaughn Craddock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Rhea G Abisado-Duque
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Emma E Santa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Daniel E Manson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Berl R Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Lynn E Hancock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Helen E Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Josephine R Chandler
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Zhang Q, Soulère L, Queneau Y. Amide bioisosteric replacement in the design and synthesis of quorum sensing modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 273:116525. [PMID: 38801798 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116525] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The prevention or control of bacterial infections requires continuous search for novel approaches among which bacterial quorum sensing inhibition is considered as a complementary antibacterial strategy. Quorum sensing, used by many different bacteria, functions through a cell-to-cell communication mechanism relying on chemical signals, referred to as autoinducers, such as N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) which are the most common chemical signals in this system. Designing analogs of these autoinducers is one of the possible ways to interfere with quorum sensing. Since bioisosteres are powerful tools in medicinal chemistry, targeting analogs of AHLs or other signal molecules and mimics of known QS modulators built on amide bond bioisosteres is a relevant strategy in molecular design and synthetic routes. This review highlights the application of amide bond bioisosteric replacement in the design and synthesis of novel quorum sensing inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Purification and Application of Plant Anti-cancer Active Ingredients, Hubei University of Education, 129 Second Gaoxin Road, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Laurent Soulère
- INSA Lyon, CNRS, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5246, ICBMS, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 rue Victor Grignard, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Yves Queneau
- INSA Lyon, CNRS, Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5246, ICBMS, Bât. E. Lederer, 1 rue Victor Grignard, F-69622, Villeurbanne, France.
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Zolpirani FH, Ghaemi EA, Yasaghi M, Nikokar I, Ardebili A. Effect of phenylalanine arginyl β-naphthylamide on the imipenem resistance, elastase production, and the expression of quorum sensing and virulence factor genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Braz J Microbiol 2024:10.1007/s42770-024-01426-7. [PMID: 38926315 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-024-01426-7] [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: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens that possess the ability to produce multiple antibiotic resistance and virulence factors. Elastase B (LasB) is the major factor implicated in tissue invasion and damage during P. aeruginosa infections, whose synthesis is regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) system. Anti-virulence approach is now considered as potential therapeutic alternative and/or adjuvant to current antibiotics' failure. The aim of this study is primarily to find out the impact of the efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) phenylalanine arginyl β-naphthylamide (PAβN) on the production of elastase B and the gene expression of lasI quorum sensing and lasB virulence factor in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. Five P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from patients with respiratory tract infections were examined in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates was performed by the disk agar diffusion method. Effect of the PAβN on imipenem susceptibility, bacterial viability, and elastase production was evaluated. The expression of lasB and lasI genes was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the presence of PAβN. All isolates were identified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) and showed resistance to carbapenem (MIC = 64-256 µg/mL). Susceptibility of isolates to imipenem was highly increased in the presence of efflux inhibitor. PAβN significantly reduced elastase activity in three isolates tested without affecting bacterial growth. In addition, the relative expression of both lasB and lasI genes was diminished in all isolates in the presence of inhibitor. Efflux inhibition by using the EPI PAβN could be a potential target for controlling the P. aeruginosa virulence and pathogenesis. Furthermore, impairment of drug efflux by PAβN indicates its capability to be used as antimicrobial adjuvant that can decrease the resistance and lower the effective doses of current drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hojjati Zolpirani
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Ezat Allah Ghaemi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Yasaghi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Iraj Nikokar
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Langroud School of Allied Medical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran
| | - Abdollah Ardebili
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Medical Bacteriology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, 49341-74515, Gorgan, Iran.
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Suzuki S, Morita Y, Ishige S, Kai K, Kawasaki K, Matsushita K, Ogura K, Miyoshi-Akiyama† T, Shimizu T. Effects of quorum sensing-interfering agents, including macrolides and furanone C-30, and an efflux pump inhibitor on nitrosative stress sensitivity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2024; 170:001464. [PMID: 38900549 PMCID: PMC11263931 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Long-term administration of certain macrolides is efficacious in patients with persistent pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, despite how limited the clinically achievable concentrations are, being far below their MICs. An increase in the sub-MIC of macrolide exposure-dependent sensitivity to nitrosative stress is a typical characteristic of P. aeruginosa. However, a few P. aeruginosa clinical isolates do not respond to sub-MIC of macrolide treatment. Therefore, we examined the effects of sub-MIC of erythromycin (EM) on the sensitivity to nitrosative stress together with an efflux pump inhibitor (EPI) phenylalanine arginyl β-naphthylamide (PAβN). The sensitivity to nitrosative stress increased, suggesting that the efflux pump was involved in inhibiting the sub-MIC of macrolide effect. Analysis using efflux pump-mutant P. aeruginosa revealed that MexAB-OprM, MexXY-OprM, and MexCD-OprJ are factors in reducing the sub-MIC of macrolide effect. Since macrolides interfere with quorum sensing (QS), we demonstrated that the QS-interfering agent furanone C-30 (C-30) producing greater sensitivity to nitric oxide (NO) stress than EM. The effect of C-30 was decreased by overproduction of MexAB-OprM. To investigate whether the increase in the QS-interfering agent exposure-dependent sensitivity to nitrosative stress is characteristic of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, we examined the viability of P. aeruginosa treated with NO. Although treatment with EM could reduce cell viability, a high variability in EM effects was observed. Conversely, C-30 was highly effective at reducing cell viability. Treatment with both C-30 and PAβN was sufficiently effective against the remaining isolates. Therefore, the combination of a QS-interfering agent and an EPI could be effective in treating P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Infectiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Yuji Morita
- Department of Infection Control Science, Meiji Pharmaceutical University, 2-522-1 Noshio, Kiyose, Tokyo, 204-8588, Japan
| | - Shota Ishige
- Department of Molecular Infectiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kiyohiro Kai
- Department of Molecular Infectiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kenji Kawasaki
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Matsushita
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Chiba University Hospital, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8677, Japan
| | - Kohei Ogura
- Laboratory of Basic and Applied Molecular Biotechnology, Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto, 6110011, Japan
| | - Tohru Miyoshi-Akiyama†
- Pathogenic Microbe Laboratory, Research Institute, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1 Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shimizu
- Department of Molecular Infectiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Lampitella EA, Marone M, Achanta NSK, Porzio E, Trepiccione F, Manco G. The Human Paraoxonase 2: An Optimized Procedure for Refolding and Stabilization Facilitates Enzyme Analyses and a Proteomics Approach. Molecules 2024; 29:2434. [PMID: 38893310 PMCID: PMC11173892 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The human paraoxonase 2 (PON2) is the oldest member of a small family of arylesterase and lactonase enzymes, representing the first line of defense against bacterial infections and having a major role in ROS-associated diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and diabetes. Specific Post-Translational Modifications (PTMs) clustering nearby two residues corresponding to pon2 polymorphic sites and their impact on the catalytic activity are not yet fully understood. Thus, the goal of the present study was to develop an improved PON2 purification protocol to obtain a higher amount of protein suitable for in-depth biochemical studies and biotechnological applications. To this end, we also tested several compounds to stabilize the active monomeric form of the enzyme. Storing the enzyme at 4 °C with 30 mM Threalose had the best impact on the activity, which was preserved for at least 30 days. The catalytic parameters against the substrate 3-Oxo-dodecanoyl-Homoserine Lactone (3oxoC12-HSL) and the enzyme ability to interfere with the biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) were determined, showing that the obtained enzyme is well suited for downstream applications. Finally, we used the purified rPON2 to detect, by the direct molecular fishing (DMF) method, new putative PON2 interactors from soluble extracts of HeLa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eros A. Lampitella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.A.L.); (M.M.); (N.S.K.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Maria Marone
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.A.L.); (M.M.); (N.S.K.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Nagendra S. K. Achanta
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.A.L.); (M.M.); (N.S.K.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Elena Porzio
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.A.L.); (M.M.); (N.S.K.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Francesco Trepiccione
- Department of Translational Medical Science, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via Leonardo Bianchi c/o Ospedale Monaldi, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Manco
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, Via Pietro Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (E.A.L.); (M.M.); (N.S.K.A.); (E.P.)
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6
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Fekete-Kertész I, Berkl Z, Buda K, Fenyvesi É, Szente L, Molnár M. Quorum quenching effect of cyclodextrins on the pyocyanin and pyoverdine production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:271. [PMID: 38517512 PMCID: PMC10959793 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Various virulence determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa are regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) network producing and releasing signalling molecules. Two of these virulence determinants are the pyocyanin and pyoverdine, which interfere with multiple cellular functions during infection. The application of QS-inhibiting agents, such as cyclodextrins (CDs), appears to be a promising approach. Further to method development, this research tested in large-volume test systems the effect of α- and β-CD (ACD, BCD) at 1, 5, and 10 mM concentrations on the production of pyocyanin in the P. aeruginosa model system. The concentration and time-dependent quorum quenching effect of native CDs and their derivatives on pyoverdine production was tested in a small-volume high-throughput system. In the large-volume system, both ACD and BCD significantly inhibited pyocyanin production, but ACD to a greater extent. 10 mM ACD resulted in 58% inhibition, while BCD only ~40%. Similarly, ACD was more effective in the inhibition of pyoverdine production; nevertheless, the results of RMANOVA demonstrated the significant efficiency of both ACD and BCD, as well as their derivatives. Both the contact time and the cyclodextrin treatments significantly influenced pyoverdine production. In this case, the inhibitory effect of ACD after 48 h at 12.5 mM was 57%, while the inhibitory effect of BCD and its derivatives was lower than 40%. The high-level significant inhibition of both pyocyanin and pyoverdine production by ACD was detectable. Consequently, the potential value of CDs as QS inhibitors and the antivirulence strategy should be considered. KEYPOINTS: • Applicability of a simplified method for quantification of pyocyanin production was demonstrated. • The cyclodextrins significantly affected the pyocyanin and pyoverdine production. • The native ACD exhibited the highest attenuation in pyoverdine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ildikó Fekete-Kertész
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3., Budapest, H-1111, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Berkl
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3., Budapest, H-1111, Hungary
| | - Kata Buda
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3., Budapest, H-1111, Hungary
| | - Éva Fenyvesi
- CycloLab Cyclodextrin R&D Laboratory Ltd., Illatos u. 7., Budapest, H-1097, Hungary
| | - Lajos Szente
- CycloLab Cyclodextrin R&D Laboratory Ltd., Illatos u. 7., Budapest, H-1097, Hungary
| | - Mónika Molnár
- Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science, Műegyetem rkp. 3., Budapest, H-1111, Hungary.
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Shahzad S, Krug SA, Mouriño S, Huang W, Kane MA, Wilks A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa heme metabolites biliverdin IXβ and IXδ are integral to lifestyle adaptations associated with chronic infection. mBio 2024; 15:e0276323. [PMID: 38319089 PMCID: PMC10936436 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02763-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile opportunistic pathogen requiring iron for its survival and virulence within the host. The ability to switch to heme as an iron source and away from siderophore uptake provides an advantage in chronic infection. We have recently shown the extracellular heme metabolites biliverdin IXβ (BVIXβ) and BVIXδ positively regulate the heme-dependent cell surface signaling cascade. We further investigated the role of BVIXβ and BVIXδ in cell signaling utilizing allelic strains lacking a functional heme oxygenase (hemOin) or one reengineered to produce BVIXα (hemOα). Compared to PAO1, both strains show a heme-dependent growth defect, decreased swarming and twitching, and less robust biofilm formation. Interestingly, the motility and biofilm defects were partially rescued on addition of exogenous BVIXβ and BVIXδ. Utilizing liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we performed a comparative proteomics and metabolomics analysis of PAO1 versus the allelic strains in shaking and static conditions. In shaking conditions, the hemO allelic strains showed a significant increase in proteins involved in quorum sensing, phenazine production, and chemotaxis. Metabolite profiling further revealed increased levels of Pseudomonas quinolone signal and phenazine metabolites. In static conditions, we observed a significant repression of chemosensory pathways and type IV pili biogenesis proteins as well as several phosphodiesterases associated with biofilm dispersal. We propose BVIX metabolites function as signaling and chemotactic molecules integrating heme utilization as an iron source into the adaptation of P. aeruginosa from a planktonic to sessile lifestyle. IMPORTANCE The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes long-term chronic infection in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. The ability to scavenge iron and to establish chronic infection within this environment coincides with a switch to utilize heme as the primary iron source. Herein, we show the heme metabolites biliverdin beta and delta are themselves important signaling molecules integrating the switch in iron acquisition systems with cooperative behaviors such as motility and biofilm formation that are essential for long-term chronic infection. These significant findings will enhance the development of viable multi-targeted therapeutics effective against both heme utilization and cooperative behaviors essential for survival and persistence within the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Shahzad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Samuel A. Krug
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susana Mouriño
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Weiliang Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maureen A. Kane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Angela Wilks
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Woods KE, Akhter S, Rodriguez B, Townsend KA, Smith N, Smith B, Wambua A, Craddock V, Abisado-Duque RG, Santa EE, Manson DE, Oakley BR, Hancock LE, Miao Y, Blackwell HE, Chandler JR. Characterization of natural product inhibitors of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals competitive inhibition of RhlR by ortho-vanillin. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.24.581676. [PMID: 38559250 PMCID: PMC10979890 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.24.581676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-cell signaling system that enables bacteria to coordinate population density-dependent changes in behavior. This chemical communication pathway is mediated by diffusible N-acyl L-homoserine lactone signals and cytoplasmic signal-responsive LuxR-type receptors in Gram-negative bacteria. As many common pathogenic bacteria use QS to regulate virulence, there is significant interest in disrupting QS as a potential therapeutic strategy. Prior studies have implicated the natural products salicylic acid, cinnamaldehyde and other related benzaldehyde derivatives as inhibitors of QS in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, yet we lack an understanding of the mechanisms by which these compounds function. Herein, we evaluate the activity of a set of benzaldehyde derivatives using heterologous reporters of the P. aeruginosa LasR and RhlR QS signal receptors. We find that most tested benzaldehyde derivatives can antagonize LasR or RhlR reporter activation at micromolar concentrations, although certain molecules also caused mild growth defects and nonspecific reporter antagonism. Notably, several compounds showed promising RhlR or LasR specific inhibitory activities over a range of concentrations below that causing toxicity. Ortho-Vanillin, a previously untested compound, was the most promising within this set. Competition experiments against the native ligands for LasR and RhlR revealed that ortho-vanillin can interact competitively with RhlR but not with LasR. Overall, these studies expand our understanding of benzaldehyde activities in the LasR and RhlR receptors and reveal potentially promising effects of ortho-vanillin as a small molecule QS modulator against RhlR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E. Woods
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Sana Akhter
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Blanca Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Kade A. Townsend
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Nathan Smith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Ben Smith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Alice Wambua
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Vaughn Craddock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | | | - Emma E. Santa
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Daniel E. Manson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Berl R. Oakley
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Lynn E. Hancock
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
| | - Yinglong Miao
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
- Center for Computational Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045
- Current location: Department of Pharmacology and Computational Medicine Program, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Helen E. Blackwell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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9
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Kristensen R, Andersen JB, Rybtke M, Jansen CU, Fritz BG, Kiilerich RO, Uhd J, Bjarnsholt T, Qvortrup K, Tolker-Nielsen T, Givskov M, Jakobsen TH. Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing by chemical induction of the MexEF-oprN efflux pump. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0138723. [PMID: 38189278 PMCID: PMC10848761 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01387-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The cell-to-cell communication system quorum sensing (QS), used by various pathogenic bacteria to synchronize gene expression and increase host invasion potentials, is studied as a potential target for persistent infection control. To search for novel molecules targeting the QS system in the Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a chemical library consisting of 3,280 small compounds from LifeArc was screened. A series of 10 conjugated phenones that have not previously been reported to target bacteria were identified as inhibitors of QS in P. aeruginosa. Two lead compounds (ethylthio enynone and propylthio enynone) were re-synthesized for verification of activity and further elucidation of the mode of action. The isomeric pure Z-ethylthio enynone was used for RNA sequencing, revealing a strong inhibitor of QS-regulated genes, and the QS-regulated virulence factors rhamnolipid and pyocyanin were significantly decreased by treatment with the compounds. A transposon mutagenesis screen performed in a newly constructed lasB-gfp monitor strain identified the target of Z-ethylthio enynone in P. aeruginosa to be the MexEF-OprN efflux pump, which was further established using defined mex knockout mutants. Our data indicate that the QS inhibitory capabilities of Z-ethylthio enynone were caused by the drainage of intracellular signal molecules as a response to chemical-induced stimulation of the MexEF-oprN efflux pump, thereby inhibiting the autogenerated positive feedback and its enhanced signal-molecule synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Kristensen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens Bo Andersen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Rybtke
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Blaine Gabriel Fritz
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Overgaard Kiilerich
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Uhd
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bjarnsholt
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katrine Qvortrup
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tim Tolker-Nielsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Givskov
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tim Holm Jakobsen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Costerton Biofilm Center, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Vinayavekhin N, Wattanophas T, Murphy MF, Vangnai AS, Hobbs G. Metabolomics responses and tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa under acoustic vibration stress. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297030. [PMID: 38285708 PMCID: PMC10824448 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Sound has been shown to impact microbial behaviors. However, our understanding of the chemical and molecular mechanisms underlying these microbial responses to acoustic vibration is limited. In this study, we used untargeted metabolomics analysis to investigate the effects of 100-Hz acoustic vibration on the intra- and extracellular hydrophobic metabolites of P. aeruginosa PAO1. Our findings revealed increased levels of fatty acids and their derivatives, quinolones, and N-acylethanolamines upon sound exposure, while rhamnolipids (RLs) showed decreased levels. Further quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments showed slight downregulation of the rhlA gene (1.3-fold) and upregulation of fabY (1.5-fold), fadE (1.7-fold), and pqsA (1.4-fold) genes, which are associated with RL, fatty acid, and quinolone biosynthesis. However, no alterations in the genes related to the rpoS regulators or quorum-sensing networks were observed. Supplementing sodium oleate to P. aeruginosa cultures to simulate the effects of sound resulted in increased tolerance of P. aeruginosa in the presence of sound at 48 h, suggesting a potential novel response-tolerance correlation. In contrast, adding RL, which went against the response direction, did not affect its growth. Overall, these findings provide potential implications for the control and manipulation of virulence and bacterial characteristics for medical and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawaporn Vinayavekhin
- Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanyaporn Wattanophas
- Center of Excellence in Natural Products Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mark Francis Murphy
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Alisa S. Vangnai
- Center of Excellence in Biocatalyst and Sustainable Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Glyn Hobbs
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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11
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Chen X, He C, Zhang Q, Bayakmetov S, Wang X. Modularized Design and Construction of Tunable Microbial Consortia with Flexible Topologies. ACS Synth Biol 2024; 13:183-194. [PMID: 38166159 PMCID: PMC10805104 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00420] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Complex and fluid bacterial community compositions are critical to diversity, stability, and function. However, quantitative and mechanistic descriptions of the dynamics of such compositions are still lacking. Here, we develop a modularized design framework that allows for bottom-up construction and the study of synthetic bacterial consortia with different topologies. We showcase the microbial consortia design and building process by constructing amensalism and competition consortia using only genetic circuit modules to engineer different strains to form the community. Functions of modules and hosting strains are validated and quantified to calibrate dynamic parameters, which are then directly fed into a full mechanistic model to accurately predict consortia composition dynamics for both amensalism and competition without further fitting. More importantly, such quantitative understanding successfully identifies the experimental conditions to achieve coexistence composition dynamics. These results illustrate the process of both computationally and experimentally building up bacteria consortia complexity and hence achieve robust control of such fluid systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwen Chen
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Changhan He
- Department
of Mathematics, University of California
Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Qi Zhang
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Samat Bayakmetov
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Xiao Wang
- School
of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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12
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Mellini M, Letizia M, Leoni L, Rampioni G. Whole-Cell Biosensors for Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Quorum Sensing Signal Molecules and the Investigation of Quorum Quenching Agents. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2721:55-67. [PMID: 37819515 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3473-8_5] [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: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
In Pseudomonas aeruginosa relevant features including virulence and biofilm formation are controlled by quorum sensing (QS), a cell density-dependent intercellular communication system based on the production and response to signal molecules. P. aeruginosa has evolved chemically distinct compounds employed as QS signal molecules (QSSMs) that can be detected and quantified through rapid, sensitive, and low-cost methods based on whole-cell biosensors. Here, we present a series of protocols based on whole-cell biosensors for qualitative and quantitative analysis of QSSMs produced by P. aeruginosa. These protocols can be used to investigate the impact of environmental conditions, genetic modifications, or quorum quenching agents on the production of QSSMs in P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Mellini
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Livia Leoni
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy
| | - Giordano Rampioni
- Department of Science, University Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
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13
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Mendes SG, Combo SI, Allain T, Domingues S, Buret AG, Da Silva GJ. Co-regulation of biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 42:1405-1423. [PMID: 37897520 PMCID: PMC10651561 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-023-04677-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged globally as a major threat to the healthcare system. It is now listed by the World Health Organization as a priority one for the need of new therapeutic agents. A. baumannii has the capacity to develop robust biofilms on biotic and abiotic surfaces. Biofilm development allows these bacteria to resist various environmental stressors, including antibiotics and lack of nutrients or water, which in turn allows the persistence of A. baumannii in the hospital environment and further outbreaks. Investigation into therapeutic alternatives that will act on both biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is sorely needed. The aim of the present review is to critically discuss the various mechanisms by which AMR and biofilm formation may be co-regulated in A. baumannii in an attempt to shed light on paths towards novel therapeutic opportunities. After discussing the clinical importance of A. baumannii, this critical review highlights biofilm-formation genes that may be associated with the co-regulation of AMR. Particularly worthy of consideration are genes regulating the quorum sensing system AbaI/AbaR, AbOmpA (OmpA protein), Bap (biofilm-associated protein), the two-component regulatory system BfmRS, the PER-1 β-lactamase, EpsA, and PTK. Finally, this review discusses ongoing experimental therapeutic strategies to fight A. baumannii infections, namely vaccine development, quorum sensing interference, nanoparticles, metal ions, natural products, antimicrobial peptides, and phage therapy. A better understanding of the mechanisms that co-regulate biofilm formation and AMR will help identify new therapeutic targets, as combined approaches may confer synergistic benefits for effective and safer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sérgio G Mendes
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sofia I Combo
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Thibault Allain
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Sara Domingues
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andre G Buret
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Gabriela J Da Silva
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Inflammation Research Network, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W, Calgary, T2N 1N4, Canada.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal.
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14
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Koh CMM, Ping LSY, Xuan CHH, Theng LB, San HS, Palombo EA, Wezen XC. A data-driven machine learning approach for discovering potent LasR inhibitors. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2243416. [PMID: 37552115 PMCID: PMC10411317 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2243416] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The rampant spread of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains severely threatens global health. This severity is compounded against the backdrop of a stagnating antibiotics development pipeline. Moreover, with many promising therapeutics falling short of expectations in clinical trials, targeting the las quorum sensing (QS) system remains an attractive therapeutic strategy to combat P. aeruginosa infection. Thus, our primary goal was to develop a drug prediction algorithm using machine learning to identify potent LasR inhibitors. In this work, we demonstrated using a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) algorithm boosted with AdaBoostM1 to discriminate between active and inactive LasR inhibitors. The optimal model performance was evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation and test sets. Our best model achieved a 90.7% accuracy in distinguishing active from inactive LasR inhibitors, an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve value of 0.95, and a Matthews correlation coefficient value of 0.81 when evaluated using test sets. Subsequently, we deployed the model against the Enamine database. The top-ranked compounds were further evaluated for their target engagement activity using molecular docking studies, Molecular Dynamics simulations, MM-GBSA analysis, and Free Energy Landscape analysis. Our data indicate that several of our chosen top hits showed better ligand-binding affinities than naringenin, a competitive LasR inhibitor. Among the six top hits, five of these compounds were predicted to be LasR inhibitors that could be used to treat P. aeruginosa-associated infections. To our knowledge, this study provides the first assessment of using an MLP-based QSAR model for discovering potent LasR inhibitors to attenuate P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christabel Ming Ming Koh
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lilian Siaw Yung Ping
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Christopher Ha Heng Xuan
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Lau Bee Theng
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Hwang Siaw San
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Enzo A. Palombo
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xavier Chee Wezen
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing, and Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak, Malaysia
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15
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de Oliveira Pereira T, Groleau MC, Déziel E. Surface growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reveals a regulatory effect of 3-oxo-C 12-homoserine lactone in the absence of its cognate receptor, LasR. mBio 2023; 14:e0092223. [PMID: 37732738 PMCID: PMC10653899 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00922-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonizes and thrives in many environments, in which it is typically found in surface-associated polymicrobial communities known as biofilms. Adaptation to this social behavior is aided by quorum sensing (QS), an intercellular communication system pivotal in the expression of social traits. Regardless of its importance in QS regulation, the loss of function of the master regulator LasR is now considered a conserved adaptation of P. aeruginosa, irrespective of the origin of the strains. By investigating the QS circuitry in surface-grown cells, we found an accumulation of QS signal 3-oxo-C12-HSL in the absence of its cognate receptor and activator, LasR. The current understanding of the QS circuit, mostly based on planktonic growing cells, is challenged by investigating the QS circuitry of surface-grown cells. This provides a new perspective on the beneficial aspects that underline the frequency of LasR-deficient isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thays de Oliveira Pereira
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Christine Groleau
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Eric Déziel
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, Québec, Canada
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16
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Moiketsi BN, Makale KPP, Rantong G, Rahube TO, Makhzoum A. Potential of Selected African Medicinal Plants as Alternative Therapeutics against Multi-Drug-Resistant Bacteria. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2605. [PMID: 37892979 PMCID: PMC10604549 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102605] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is considered a "One-Health" problem, impacting humans, animals, and the environment. The problem of the rapid development and spread of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics is a rising global health threat affecting both rich and poor nations. Low- and middle-income countries are at highest risk, in part due to the lack of innovative research on the surveillance and discovery of novel therapeutic options. Fast and effective drug discovery is crucial towards combatting antimicrobial resistance and reducing the burden of infectious diseases. African medicinal plants have been used for millennia in folk medicine to cure many diseases and ailments. Over 10% of the Southern African vegetation is applied in traditional medicine, with over 15 species being partially or fully commercialized. These include the genera Euclea, Ficus, Aloe, Lippia. And Artemisia, amongst many others. Bioactive compounds from indigenous medicinal plants, alone or in combination with existing antimicrobials, offer promising solutions towards overcoming multi-drug resistance. Secondary metabolites have different mechanisms and modes of action against bacteria, such as the inhibition and disruption of cell wall synthesis; inhibition of DNA replication and ATP synthesis; inhibition of quorum sensing; inhibition of AHL or oligopeptide signal generation, broadcasting, and reception; inhibition of the formation of biofilm; disruption of pathogenicity activities; and generation of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this review is to highlight some promising traditional medicinal plants found in Africa and provide insights into their secondary metabolites as alternative options in antibiotic therapy against multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Additionally, synergism between plant secondary metabolites and antibiotics has been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Teddie O. Rahube
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana; (B.N.M.); (K.P.P.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Abdullah Makhzoum
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Private Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana; (B.N.M.); (K.P.P.M.); (G.R.)
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17
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Juříková T, Mácha H, Lupjanová V, Pluháček T, Marešová H, Papoušková B, Luptáková D, Patil RH, Benada O, Grulich M, Palyzová A. The Deciphering of Growth-Dependent Strategies for Quorum-Sensing Networks in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2329. [PMID: 37764173 PMCID: PMC10534576 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092329] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among nosocomial pathogens. In respiratory infections, P. aeruginosa acts not only as a single player but also collaborates with the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. This study introduced a QS molecule portfolio as a potential new biomarker that affects the secretion of virulence factors and biofilm formation. The quantitative levels of QS molecules, including 3-o-C12-HSL, 3-o-C8-HSL, C4-HSL, C6-HSL, HHQ, PQS, and PYO, measured using mass spectrometry in a monoculture, indicated metabolic changes during the transition from planktonic to sessile cells. In the co-cultures with A. fumigatus, the profile of abundant QS molecules was reduced to 3-o-C12-HSL, C4-HSL, PQS, and PYO. A decrease in C4-HSL by 50% to 170.6 ± 11.8 ng/mL and an increase 3-o-C12-HSL by 30% up to 784.4 ± 0.6 ng/mL were detected at the stage of the coverage of the hyphae with bacteria. Using scanning electron microscopy, we showed the morphological stages of the P. aeruginosa biofilm, such as cell aggregates, maturated biofilm, and cell dispersion. qPCR quantification of the genome equivalents of both microorganisms suggested that they exhibited an interplay strategy rather than antagonism. This is the first study demonstrating the quantitative growth-dependent appearance of QS molecule secretion in a monoculture of P. aeruginosa and a co-culture with A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Juříková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Hynek Mácha
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (T.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Vanda Lupjanová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Tomáš Pluháček
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (T.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Helena Marešová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Barbora Papoušková
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (T.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Dominika Luptáková
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Rutuja H. Patil
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Palacky University, 17. Listopadu 12, 771 46 Olomouc, Czech Republic; (T.P.); (B.P.)
| | - Oldřich Benada
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Michal Grulich
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
| | - Andrea Palyzová
- Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic; (T.J.); (H.M.); (V.L.); (H.M.); (D.L.); (R.H.P.); (O.B.); (M.G.)
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18
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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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19
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Naga NG, El-Badan DE, Ghanem KM, Shaaban MI. It is the time for quorum sensing inhibition as alternative strategy of antimicrobial therapy. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:133. [PMID: 37316831 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01154-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple drug resistance poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, with a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality rates. Consequently, searching for novel strategies to control microbial pathogenicity is necessary. With the aid of auto-inducers (AIs), quorum sensing (QS) regulates bacterial virulence factors through cell-to-cell signaling networks. AIs are small signaling molecules produced during the stationary phase. When bacterial cultures reach a certain level of growth, these molecules regulate the expression of the bound genes by acting as mirrors that reflect the inoculum density.Gram-positive bacteria use the peptide derivatives of these signaling molecules, whereas Gram-negative bacteria use the fatty acid derivatives, and the majority of bacteria can use both types to modulate the expression of the target gene. Numerous natural and synthetic QS inhibitors (QSIs) have been developed to reduce microbial pathogenesis. Applications of QSI are vital to human health, as well as fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture, and water treatment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nourhan G Naga
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Dalia E El-Badan
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Khaled M Ghanem
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona I Shaaban
- Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
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20
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Zhang P, Chen W, Ma YC, Bai B, Sun G, Zhang S, Chang X, Wang Y, Jiang N, Zhang X, Ma S. Design and Synthesis of 4-Fluorophenyl-5-methylene-2(5 H)-furanone Derivatives as Potent Quorum Sensing Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37310919 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) are a class of compounds that can reduce the pathogenicity of bacteria without affecting bacterial growth. In this study, we designed and synthesized four series of 4-fluorophenyl-5-methylene-2(5H)-furanone derivatives and evaluated their QSI activities. Among them, compound 23e not only showed excellent inhibitory activity against various virulence factors but also significantly enhanced the inhibitory activity of antibiotics ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin against two strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vitro. What is even more exciting is that it remarkably increased the antibacterial effect in vivo in combination with ciprofloxacin in the bacteremia model infected with P. aeruginosa PAO1. Moreover, 23e had little hemolytic activity to mouse erythrocytes. Further, the results of GFP reporter fluorescence strain inhibition and β-galactosidase activity inhibition experiments demonstrated that 23e simultaneously targeted the three quorum sensing systems in P. aeruginosa. As a result, compound 23e could be used as an effective QSI for further development against bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Weijin Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yang-Chun Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Bingfang Bai
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Guanglin Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shenyan Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiaohong Chang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xianghui Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Shutao Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology (Ministry of Education), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 44 West Wenhua Road, Jinan 250012, China
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21
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Cao P, Fleming D, Moustafa DA, Dolan SK, Szymanik KH, Redman WK, Ramos A, Diggle FL, Sullivan CS, Goldberg JB, Rumbaugh KP, Whiteley M. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa small RNA regulates chronic and acute infection. Nature 2023; 618:358-364. [PMID: 37225987 PMCID: PMC10247376 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06111-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The ability to switch between different lifestyles allows bacterial pathogens to thrive in diverse ecological niches1,2. However, a molecular understanding of their lifestyle changes within the human host is lacking. Here, by directly examining bacterial gene expression in human-derived samples, we discover a gene that orchestrates the transition between chronic and acute infection in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The expression level of this gene, here named sicX, is the highest of the P. aeruginosa genes expressed in human chronic wound and cystic fibrosis infections, but it is expressed at extremely low levels during standard laboratory growth. We show that sicX encodes a small RNA that is strongly induced by low-oxygen conditions and post-transcriptionally regulates anaerobic ubiquinone biosynthesis. Deletion of sicX causes P. aeruginosa to switch from a chronic to an acute lifestyle in multiple mammalian models of infection. Notably, sicX is also a biomarker for this chronic-to-acute transition, as it is the most downregulated gene when a chronic infection is dispersed to cause acute septicaemia. This work solves a decades-old question regarding the molecular basis underlying the chronic-to-acute switch in P. aeruginosa and suggests oxygen as a primary environmental driver of acute lethality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Cao
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Derek Fleming
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Dina A Moustafa
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stephen K Dolan
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kayla H Szymanik
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Whitni K Redman
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY, USA
| | - Anayancy Ramos
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Frances L Diggle
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Joanna B Goldberg
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary, Asthma, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sleep, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kendra P Rumbaugh
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
- Burn Center of Research Excellence, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Marvin Whiteley
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Emory-Children's Cystic Fibrosis Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Center for Microbial Dynamics and Infection, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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22
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Miller Conrad LC, Perez LJ. A Geneticist Transcribing the Chemical Language of Bacteria. Isr J Chem 2023; 63:e202200079. [PMID: 37469628 PMCID: PMC10353724 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200079] [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: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
The study of quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication mediated by the production and detection of small molecule signals, has skyrocketed since its discovery in the last third of the 20th century. Building from early investigations of bacterial bioluminescence, the process has been characterized to control a numerous and growing number of group behaviors, including virulence and biofilm formation. Bonnie Bassler has made key contributions to the understanding of quorum sensing, leading interdisciplinary efforts to characterize key signaling pathway components and their respective signaling molecules across a range of gram-negative bacteria. This review highlights her work in the field, with a particular emphasis on the chemical contributions of her work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C. Miller Conrad
- Department of Chemistry, San José State University, 1 Washington Sq, San Jose, CA 95192, USA
| | - Lark J. Perez
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA
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23
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Ji H, Zhao L, Lv K, Zhang Y, Gao H, Gong Q, Yu W. Citrinin Is a Potential Quorum Sensing Inhibitor against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Mar Drugs 2023; 21:md21050296. [PMID: 37233490 DOI: 10.3390/md21050296] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that infects patients by regulating virulence factors and biofilms through a quorum sensing (QS) system to protect itself from antibiotics and environmental stress. Therefore, the development of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs) is expected to become a new strategy for studying drug resistance to P. aeruginosa infections. Marine fungi are valuable resources for screening QSIs. A marine fungus, Penicillium sp. JH1, with anti-QS activity was isolated from the offshore waters of Qingdao (China), and citrinin, a novel QSI, was purified from secondary metabolites of this fungus. Citrinin could significantly inhibit the production of violacein in Chromobacterium violaceum CV12472 and the production of three virulence factors (elastase, rhamnolipid and pyocyanin) in P. aeruginosa PAO1. It could also inhibit the biofilm formation and motility of PAO1. In addition, citrinin downregulated the transcript levels of nine genes (lasI, rhlI, pqsA, lasR, rhlR, pqsR, lasB, rhlA and phzH) associated with QS. Molecular docking results showed that citrinin bound to PqsR and LasR with better affinity than the natural ligands. This study laid a foundation for the further study of the structure optimization and structure-activity relationship of citrinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Ji
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Lu Zhao
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Kaiwen Lv
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yuzhu Zhang
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Haibo Gao
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qianhong Gong
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wengong Yu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, 1 Wenhai Road, Qingdao 266237, China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
- Provincial Key Laboratory of Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
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24
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Pellielo G, Agyapong ED, Pinton P, Rimessi A. Control of mitochondrial functions by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2023; 377:19-43. [PMID: 37268349 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease characterized by mutations of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which lead to a dysfunctional chloride and bicarbonate channel. Abnormal mucus viscosity, persistent infections and hyperinflammation that preferentially affect the airways, referred to the pathogenesis of CF lung disease. It has largely demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) represents the most important pathogen that affect CF patients, leading to worsen inflammation by stimulating pro-inflammatory mediators release and tissue destruction. The conversion to mucoid phenotype and formation of biofilms, together with the increased frequency of mutations, are only few changes that characterize the P. aeruginosa's evolution during CF lung chronic infection. Recently, mitochondria received increasing attention due to their involvement in inflammatory-related diseases, including in CF. Alteration of mitochondrial homeostasis is sufficient to stimulate immune response. Exogenous or endogenous stimuli that perturb mitochondrial activity are used by cells, which, through the mitochondrial stress, potentiate immunity programs. Studies show the relationship between mitochondria and CF, supporting the idea that mitochondrial dysfunction endorses the exacerbation of inflammatory responses in CF lung. In particular, evidences suggest that mitochondria in CF airway cells are more susceptible to P. aeruginosa infection, with consequent detrimental effects that lead to amplify the inflammatory signals. This review discusses the evolution of P. aeruginosa in relationship with the pathogenesis of CF, a fundamental step to establish chronic infection in CF lung disease. Specifically, we focus on the role of P. aeruginosa in the exacerbation of inflammatory response, by triggering mitochondria in CF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pellielo
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Esther Densu Agyapong
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paolo Pinton
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center of research for innovative therapies in cystic fibrosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rimessi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Section of Experimental Medicine, Laboratory for Technologies of Advanced Therapies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Center of research for innovative therapies in cystic fibrosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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25
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Elmassry MM, Colmer-Hamood JA, Kopel J, San Francisco MJ, Hamood AN. Anti- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Vaccines and Therapies: An Assessment of Clinical Trials. Microorganisms 2023; 11:916. [PMID: 37110338 PMCID: PMC10144840 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040916] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that causes high morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) and immunocompromised patients, including patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), severely burned patients, and patients with surgical wounds. Due to the intrinsic and extrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms, the ability to produce several cell-associated and extracellular virulence factors, and the capacity to adapt to several environmental conditions, eradicating P. aeruginosa within infected patients is difficult. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the six multi-drug-resistant pathogens (ESKAPE) considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an entire group for which the development of novel antibiotics is urgently needed. In the United States (US) and within the last several years, P. aeruginosa caused 27% of deaths and approximately USD 767 million annually in health-care costs. Several P. aeruginosa therapies, including new antimicrobial agents, derivatives of existing antibiotics, novel antimicrobial agents such as bacteriophages and their chelators, potential vaccines targeting specific virulence factors, and immunotherapies have been developed. Within the last 2-3 decades, the efficacy of these different treatments was tested in clinical and preclinical trials. Despite these trials, no P. aeruginosa treatment is currently approved or available. In this review, we examined several of these clinicals, specifically those designed to combat P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients, patients with P. aeruginosa VAP, and P. aeruginosa-infected burn patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moamen M. Elmassry
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Jane A. Colmer-Hamood
- Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Jonathan Kopel
- Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Michael J. San Francisco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Honors College, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Abdul N. Hamood
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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26
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Diversity of Bacteria with Quorum Sensing and Quenching Activities from Hydrothermal Vents in the Okinawa Trough. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11030748. [PMID: 36985321 PMCID: PMC10052519 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11030748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a chemical communication system by which bacteria coordinate gene expression and social behaviors. Quorum quenching (QQ) refers to processes of inhibiting the QS pathway. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are extreme marine environments, where abundant and diverse microbial communities live. However, the nature of chemical communication in bacteria inhabiting the hydrothermal vent is poorly understood. In this study, the QS and QQ activities with N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as the autoinducer were detected in bacteria isolated from hydrothermal vents in the Okinawa Trough. A total of 18 and 108 isolates possessed AHL-producing and AHL-degrading abilities, respectively. Bacteria mainly affiliated with Rhodobacterales, Hyphomicrobiales, Enterobacterales and Sphingomonadales showed QS activities; QQ was mainly associated with Bacillales, Rhodospirillales and Sphingomonadales. The results showed that the bacterial QS and QQ processes are prevalent in hydrothermal environments in the Okinawa Trough. Furthermore, QS significantly affected the activities of extracellular enzymes represented by β-glucosidase, aminopeptidase and phosphatase in the four isolates with higher QS activities. Our results increase the current knowledge of the diversity of QS and QQ bacteria in extreme marine environments and shed light on the interspecific relationships to better investigate their dynamics and ecological roles in biogeochemical cycling.
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27
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Schuster M, Li C, Smith P, Kuttler C. Parameters, architecture and emergent properties of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasI/LasR quorum-sensing circuit. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20220825. [PMID: 36919437 PMCID: PMC10015328 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0825] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a widespread process in bacteria that controls collective behaviours in response to cell density. Populations of cells coordinate gene expression through the perception of self-produced chemical signals. Although this process is well-characterized genetically and biochemically, quantitative information about network properties, including induction dynamics and steady-state behaviour, is scarce. Here we integrate experiments with mathematical modelling to quantitatively analyse the LasI/LasR quorum sensing pathway in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We determine key kinetic parameters of the pathway and, using the parametrized model, show that quorum sensing behaves as a bistable hysteretic switch, with stable on and off states. We investigate the significance of feedback architecture and find that positive feedback on signal production is critical for induction dynamics and bistability, whereas positive feedback on receptor expression and negative feedback on signal production play a minor role. Taken together, our data-based modelling approach reveals fundamental and emergent properties of a bacterial quorum sensing circuit, and provides evidence that native quorum sensing can indeed function as the gene expression switch it is commonly perceived to be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Schuster
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Christina Li
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Parker Smith
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Christina Kuttler
- Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München, 85748 Garching, Germany
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28
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Lima EMF, Almeida FAD, Sircili MP, Bueris V, Pinto UM. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) attenuates quorum sensing regulated phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14152. [PMID: 36923901 PMCID: PMC10009464 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14152] [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: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The expression of many virulence genes in bacteria is regulated by quorum sensing (QS), and the inhibition of this mechanism has been intensely investigated. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has good antibacterial activity and is able to interfere with biofilm-related respiratory infections, but little is known whether this compound has an effect on bacterial QS communication. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of NAC as a QS inhibitor (QSI) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 through in silico and in vitro analyses, as well as in combination with the antibiotic tobramycin. Initially, a molecular docking analysis was performed between the QS regulatory proteins, LasR and RhlR, of P. aeruginosa with NAC, 3-oxo-C12-HSL, C4-HSL, and furanone C30. The NAC sub-inhibitory concentration was determined by growth curves. Then, we performed in vitro tests using the QS reporter strains P. aeruginosa lasB-gfp and rhlA-gfp, as well as the expression of QS-related phenotypes. Finally, the synergistic effect of NAC with the antibiotic tobramycin was calculated by fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICi) and investigated against bacterial growth, pigment production, and biofilm formation. In the molecular docking study, NAC bound to LasR and RhlR proteins in a similar manner to the AHL cognate, suggesting that it may be able to bind to QS receptor proteins in vivo. In the biosensor assay, the GFP signal was turned down in the presence of NAC at 1000, 500, 250, and 125 μM for lasB-gfp and rhlA-gfp (p < 0.05), suggesting a QS inhibitory effect. Pyocyanin and rhamnolipids decreased (p < 0.05) up to 34 and 37%, respectively, in the presence of NAC at 125 μM. Swarming and swimming motilities were inhibited (p < 0.05) by NAC at 250 to 10000 μM. Additionally, 2500 and 10000 μM of NAC reduced biofilm formation. NAC-tobramycin combination showed synergistic effect with FICi of 0.8, and the best combination was 2500-1.07 μM, inhibiting biofilm formation up to 60%, besides reducing pyocyanin and pyoverdine production. Confocal microscopy images revealed a stronger, dense, and compact biofilm of P. aeruginosa PAO1 control, while the biofilm treated with NAC-tobramycin became thinner and more dispersed. Overall, NAC at low concentrations showed promising anti-QS properties against P. aeruginosa PAO1, adding to its already known effect as an antibacterial and antibiofilm agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emília Maria França Lima
- Food Research Center, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Alves de Almeida
- Instituto de Laticínios Cândido Tostes (ILCT), Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária de Minas Gerais (EPAMIG), Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Vanessa Bueris
- Microbiology Department, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Uelinton Manoel Pinto
- Food Research Center, Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Corresponding author.
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29
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AIDmut-Seq: a Three-Step Method for Detecting Protein-DNA Binding Specificity. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0378322. [PMID: 36533916 PMCID: PMC9927353 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03783-22] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional factors (TFs) and their regulons make up the gene regulatory networks. Here, we developed a method based on TF-directed activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) mutagenesis in combination with genome sequencing, called AIDmut-Seq, to detect TF targets on the genome. AIDmut-Seq involves only three simple steps, including the expression of the AID-TF fusion protein, whole-genome sequencing, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiling, making it easy for junior and interdisciplinary researchers to use. Using AIDmut-Seq for the major quorum sensing regulator LasR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, we confirmed that a few TF-guided C-T (or G-A) conversions occurred near their binding boxes on the genome, and a number of previously characterized and uncharacterized LasR-binding sites were detected. Further verification of AIDmut-Seq using various transcriptional regulators demonstrated its high efficiency for most transcriptional activators (FleQ, ErdR, GacA, ExsA). We confirmed the binding of LasR, FleQ, and ErdR to 100%, 50%, and 86% of their newly identified promoters by using in vitro protein-DNA binding assay. And real-time RT-PCR data validated the intracellular activity of these TFs to regulate the transcription of those newly found target promoters. However, AIDmut-Seq exhibited low efficiency for some small transcriptional repressors such as RsaL and AmrZ, with possible reasons involving fusion-induced TF dysfunction as well as low transcription rates of target promoters. Although there are false-positive and false-negative results in the AIDmut-Seq data, preliminary results have demonstrated the value of AIDmut-Seq to act as a complementary tool for existing methods. IMPORTANCE Protein-DNA interactions (PDI) play a central role in gene regulatory networks (GRNs). However, current techniques for studying genome-wide PDI usually involve complex experimental procedures, which prevent their broad use by scientific researchers. In this study, we provide a in vivo method called AIDmut-Seq. AIDmut-Seq involves only three simple steps that are easy to operate for researchers with basic skills in molecular biology. The efficiency of AIDmut-Seq was tested and confirmed using multiple transcription factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although there are still some defects regarding false-positive and false-negative results, AIDmut-Seq will be a good choice in the early stage of PDI study.
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Horáček O, Portillo AE, Dhaubhadel U, Sung YS, Readel ER, Kučera R, Armstrong DW. Comprehensive chiral GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods for identification and determination of N-acyl homoserine lactones. Talanta 2023; 253:123957. [PMID: 36215752 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123957] [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: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
N-acyl homoserine lactones (N-HLs) are signaling molecules synthesized by gram-negative bacteria to communicate in a process called quorum sensing. Most reported methods for the analysis of N-HLs, which are chiral molecules, do not distinguish between enantiomers. Typical examples include biosensors, liquid chromatography with UV detection, gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (LC-MS). Recently, the production of both D,L-N-HLs have been reported in Vibrio fischeri and Burkholderia cepacia. Concentrations of the D-N-HLs were found at the limit of quantification for the employed method. Therefore, for further studies of the role of the D-N-HLs in bacterial physiology, more sensitive, reliable, and selective analytical methods are necessary. In this work, such comprehensive chiral analytical methods for the identification and determination of 18 N-HLs using solid phase extraction followed by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS analyses were developed. Extraction recoveries for the more hydrophilic C4 N-HLs were <10% of all other N-HLs, thus offering a possible explanation as to their lack of detection in previous studies. The chiral separations of all 18 N-HLs derivatives were accomplished by the complementary GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS methods. The limit of detection for LC-MS/MS method was as low as 1 ppb. The limit of detection for the GC-MS/MS method was found to be one to three orders of magnitude higher than the LC-MS/MS method. Due to the high extraction recovery and a preconcentration factor of 100, concentrations as low as 10 ppt can be detected by LC-MS/MS in biological samples. The LC-MS/MS approach provided greater enantioselectivity for the larger, more hydrophobic N-HLs while GC-MS/MS provided better enantioselectivity for the smaller N-HLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondřej Horáček
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Abiud E Portillo
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Umang Dhaubhadel
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Yu-Sheng Sung
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Readel
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Radim Kučera
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis, Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel W Armstrong
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
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Zhu X, Chen WJ, Bhatt K, Zhou Z, Huang Y, Zhang LH, Chen S, Wang J. Innovative microbial disease biocontrol strategies mediated by quorum quenching and their multifaceted applications: A review. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1063393. [PMID: 36714722 PMCID: PMC9878147 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1063393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing resistance exhibited by undesirable bacteria to traditional antibiotics, the need to discover alternative (or, at least, supplementary) treatments to combat chemically resistant bacteria is becoming urgent. Quorum sensing (QS) refers to a novel bacterial communication system for monitoring cell density and regulation of a network of gene expression that is mediated by a group of signaling molecules called autoinducers (AIs). QS-regulated multicellular behaviors include biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and antibiotic synthesis, which are demonstrating increasing pathogenicity to plants and aquacultural animals as well as contamination of wastewater treatment devices. To inhibit QS-regulated microbial behaviors, the strategy of quorum quenching (QQ) has been developed. Different quorum quenchers interfere with QS through different mechanisms, such as competitively inhibiting AI perception (e.g., by QS inhibitors) and AI degradation (e.g., by QQ enzymes). In this review, we first introduce different signaling molecules, including diffusible signal factor (DSF) and acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) for Gram-negative bacteria, AIPs for Gram-positive bacteria, and AI-2 for interspecies communication, thus demonstrating the mode of action of the QS system. We next exemplify the QQ mechanisms of various quorum quenchers, such as chemical QS inhibitors, and the physical/enzymatic degradation of QS signals. We devote special attention to AHL-degrading enzymes, which are categorized in detail according to their diverse catalytic mechanisms and enzymatic properties. In the final part, the applications and advantages of quorum quenchers (especially QQ enzymes and bacteria) are summarized in the context of agricultural/aquacultural pathogen biocontrol, membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment, and the attenuation of human pathogenic bacteria. Taken together, we present the state-of-the-art in research considering QS and QQ, providing theoretical evidence and support for wider application of this promising environmentally friendly biocontrol strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xixian Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Juan Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kalpana Bhatt
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Zhe Zhou
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaohua Huang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lian-Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junxia Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Microbial Signals and Disease Control, Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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32
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Carey RM, Palmer JN, Adappa ND, Lee RJ. Loss of CFTR function is associated with reduced bitter taste receptor-stimulated nitric oxide innate immune responses in nasal epithelial cells and macrophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1096242. [PMID: 36742335 PMCID: PMC9890060 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1096242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors identified on the tongue but expressed all over the body, including in airway cilia and macrophages, where T2Rs serve an immune role. T2R isoforms detect bitter metabolites (quinolones and acyl-homoserine lactones) secreted by gram negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a major pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF). T2R activation by bitter bacterial products triggers calcium-dependent nitric oxide (NO) production. In airway cells, the NO increases mucociliary clearance and has direct antibacterial properties. In macrophages, the same pathway enhances phagocytosis. Because prior studies linked CF with reduced NO, we hypothesized that CF cells may have reduced T2R/NO responses, possibly contributing to reduced innate immunity in CF. Methods Immunofluorescence, qPCR, and live cell imaging were used to measure T2R localization, calcium and NO signaling, ciliary beating, and antimicrobial responses in air-liquid interface cultures of primary human nasal epithelial cells and immortalized bronchial cell lines. Immunofluorescence and live cell imaging was used to measure T2R signaling and phagocytosis in primary human monocyte-derived macrophages. Results Primary nasal epithelial cells from both CF and non-CF patients exhibited similar T2R expression, localization, and calcium signals. However, CF cells exhibited reduced NO production also observed in immortalized CFBE41o- CF cells and non-CF 16HBE cells CRISPR modified with CF-causing mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). NO was restored by VX-770/VX-809 corrector/potentiator pre-treatment, suggesting reduced NO in CF cells is due to loss of CFTR function. In nasal cells, reduced NO correlated with reduced ciliary and antibacterial responses. In primary human macrophages, inhibition of CFTR reduced NO production and phagocytosis during T2R stimulation. Conclusions Together, these data suggest an intrinsic deficiency in T2R/NO signaling caused by loss of CFTR function that may contribute to intrinsic susceptibilities of CF patients to P. aeruginosa and other gram-negative bacteria that activate T2Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - James N Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nithin D Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Robert J Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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33
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Zhang Y, Ma N, Tan P, Ma X. Quorum sensing mediates gut bacterial communication and host-microbiota interaction. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3751-3763. [PMID: 36239296 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2134981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Gut bacteria employ quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate their activities and communicate with one another, this process relies on the production, detection, and response to autoinducers, which are extracellular signaling molecules. In addition to synchronizing behavioral activities within the species, QS plays a crucial role in the gut host-microbiota interaction. In this review, an overview of classical QS systems is presented as well as the interspecies communication mediated by QS, and recent advances in the host-microbiota interaction mediated by QS. A greater knowledge of the communication network of gut microbiota is not only an opportunity and a challenge for developing nutritional and therapeutic strategies against bacterial illnesses, but also a means for improving gut health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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Bernabè G, Marzaro G, Di Pietra G, Otero A, Bellato M, Pauletto A, Scarpa M, Sut S, Chilin A, Dall’Acqua S, Brun P, Castagliuolo I. A novel phenolic derivative inhibits AHL-dependent quorum sensing signaling in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:996871. [PMID: 36204236 PMCID: PMC9531014 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.996871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing antibiotic resistance and the decline in the pharmaceutical industry’s investments have amplified the need for novel treatments for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors reduce pathogens’ virulence without selective pressure on bacteria and provide an alternative to conventional antibiotic-based therapies. P. aeruginosa uses complex QS signaling to control virulence and biofilm formation. We aimed to identify inhibitors of P. aeruginosa QS acting on acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL)-mediated circuits. Bioluminescence and qRT-PCR assays were employed to screen a library of 81 small phenolic derivatives to reduce AHL-dependent signaling. We identified GM-50 as the most active compound inhibiting the expression of AHL-regulated genes but devoid of cytotoxic activity in human epithelial cells and biocidal effects on bacteria. GM-50 reduces virulence factors such as rhamnolipids, pyocyanin, elastase secretion, and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa PAO1 laboratory strain. By molecular docking, we provide evidence that GM-50 highly interacts with RhlR. GM-50 significantly improved aztreonam-mediated biofilm disruption. Moreover, GM-50 prevents adhesion of PAO1 and inflammatory damage in the human A549 cell line and protects Galleria mellonella from PAO1-mediated killing. GM-50 significantly reduces virulence factors in 20 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates from patients with respiratory tract infections. In conclusion, GM-50 inhibits AHL-signaling, reduces virulence factors, enhances the anti-biofilm activity of aztreonam, and protects G. mellonella larvae from damage induced by P. aeruginosa. Since GM-50 is active on clinical strains, it represents a starting point for identifying and developing new phenolic derivatives acting as QS-inhibitors in P. aeruginosa infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bernabè
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Giovanni Marzaro
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Ana Otero
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Massimo Bellato
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Anthony Pauletto
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Melania Scarpa
- Laboratory of Advanced Translational Research, Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV—IRCCS, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefania Sut
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Adriana Chilin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefano Dall’Acqua
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Brun
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- *Correspondence: Paola Brun,
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Potential of Impatiens balsamina Leaf Extract against Quorum Sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01. JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.22207/jpam.16.3.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria control gene expression by quorum sensing (QS) mechanism owing to producing small signal molecules associated with population density. Both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria use QS to manage various physiological characteristics, including bioluminescence, virulence gene expression, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance. Impatience balsamina is a flowering, perennial and annual herb indigenous to southern Asia in India. All parts of Impatience balsamina have a therapeutic effect on different diseases. This study evaluated the anti-quorum sensing activity of leaf extract of Impatience balsamina by examining its action on Violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum, a biosensor strain, and Biofilm, Pyocyanin, Protease, and Chitinase production by the reference strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA 01. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA 01was 3.125mg/ml. A concentration of 1.563mg/ml (sub-MIC) showed inhibition of 100% on Las A protease, 78.42% on chitinase, 30.75% on biofilm, and 93.33% on pyocyanin production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA 01. This article displayed the quorum quenching activity of Impatience balsamina by hindering the quorum-sensing controlled characteristics of bacteria without killing it, which reduces the proneness of drug resistance in bacteria, a globally accepted emerging problem in the medical field.
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Taylor IR, Jeffrey PD, Moustafa DA, Goldberg JB, Bassler BL. The PqsE Active Site as a Target for Small Molecule Antimicrobial Agents against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1894-1903. [PMID: 35985643 PMCID: PMC9454246 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
![]()
The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas
aeruginosa causes antibiotic-resistant, nosocomial
infections in immuno-compromised
individuals and is a high priority for antimicrobial development.
Key to pathogenicity in P. aeruginosa are biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Both traits
are controlled by the cell-to-cell communication process called quorum
sensing (QS). QS involves the synthesis, release, and population-wide
detection of signal molecules called autoinducers. We previously reported
that the activity of the RhlR QS transcription factor depends on a
protein–protein interaction with the hydrolase, PqsE, and PqsE
catalytic activity is dispensable for this interaction. Nonetheless,
the PqsE–RhlR interaction could be disrupted by the substitution
of an active site glutamate residue with tryptophan [PqsE(E182W)].
Here, we show that disruption of the PqsE–RhlR interaction
via either the E182W change or alteration of PqsE surface residues
that are essential for the interaction with RhlR attenuates P. aeruginosa infection in a murine host. We use
crystallography to characterize the conformational changes induced
by the PqsE(E182W) substitution to define the mechanism underlying
disruption of the PqsE–RhlR interaction. A loop rearrangement
that repositions the E280 residue in PqsE(E182W) is responsible for
the loss of interaction. We verify the implications garnered from
the PqsE(E182W) structure using mutagenic, biochemical, and additional
structural analyses. We present the next generation of molecules targeting
the PqsE active site, including a structure of the tightest binding
of these compounds, BB584, in complex with PqsE. The findings presented
here provide insights into drug discovery against P.
aeruginosa with PqsE as the target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle R Taylor
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Philip D Jeffrey
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Dina A Moustafa
- School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc., Department of Pediatrics, and Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Diseases Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Joanna B Goldberg
- School of Medicine, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc., Department of Pediatrics, and Center for Cystic Fibrosis and Airway Diseases Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Bonnie L Bassler
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, United States
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Cook J, Hui JPM, Zhang J, Kember M, Berrué F, Zhang J, Cheng Z. Production of quorum sensing-related metabolites and phytoalexins during Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Brassica napus interaction. MICROBIOLOGY (READING, ENGLAND) 2022; 168. [PMID: 35980361 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that has been shown to interact with many organisms throughout the domains of life, including plants. How this broad-host-range bacterium interacts with each of its diverse hosts, especially the metabolites that mediate these interactions, is not completely known. In this work, we used a liquid culture root infection system to collect plant and bacterial metabolites on days 1, 3 and 5 post-P. aeruginosa (strain PA14) infection of the oilseed plant, canola (Brassica napus). Using MS-based metabolomics approaches, we identified the overproduction of quorum sensing (QS)-related (both signalling molecules and regulated products) metabolites by P. aeruginosa while interacting with canola plants. However, the P. aeruginosa infection induced the production of several phytoalexins, which is a part of the hallmark plant defence response to microbes. The QS system of PA14 appears to only mediate part of the canola-P. aeruginosa metabolomic interactions, as the use of isogenic mutant strains of each of the three QS signalling branches did not significantly affect the induction of the phytoalexin brassilexin, while induction of spirobrassinin was significantly decreased. Interestingly, a treatment of purified QS molecules in the absence of bacteria was not able to induce any phytoalexin production, suggesting that active bacterial colonization is required for eliciting phytoalexin production. Furthermore, we identified that brassilexin, the only commercially available phytoalexin that was detected in this study, demonstrated a MIC of 400 µg ml-1 against P. aeruginosa PA14. The production of phytoalexins can be an effective component of canola innate immunity to keep potential infections by the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa at bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Cook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Joseph P M Hui
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Janie Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michaela Kember
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Fabrice Berrué
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Junzeng Zhang
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Zhenyu Cheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Ulusoy S, B Akalin R, Çevikbaş H, Berisha A, Oral A, Boşgelmez-Tinaz G. Zeolite 4A as a jammer of bacterial communication in Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Future Microbiol 2022; 17:861-871. [PMID: 35658574 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the hypothesis that zeolites interfere with quorum-sensing (QS) systems of Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by adsorbing N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules. Methods: QS inhibition by zeolite 4A was investigated using an AHL-based bioreporter assay. The adsorption of the AHLs was evaluated by performing inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy and confirmed by Monte Carlo and molecular dynamic simulations. Results: Zeolite 4A reduced the violacein production in C. violaceum by over 90% and the biofilm formation, elastase and pyocyanin production in P. aeruginosa by 87, 68 and 98%, respectively. Conclusion: Zeolite 4A disrupts the QS systems of C. violaceum and P. aeruginosa by means of adsorbing 3-oxo-C6-AHL and 3-oxo-C12-AHL signaling molecules and can be developed as a novel QS jammer to combat P. aeruginosa-related infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyhan Ulusoy
- Department of Biology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Ramadan B Akalin
- The Vocational School of Health Services, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, 59030, Turkey
| | - Halime Çevikbaş
- Department of Biology, Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, 32260, Turkey
| | - Avni Berisha
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Mathematics Science, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, 10000, Kosovo.,Materials Science-Nanochemistry Research Group, NanoAlb-Unit of Albanian Nanoscienceand Nanotechnology, Tirana, 1000, Albania
| | - Ayhan Oral
- Department of Chemistry, Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, 18100, Turkey
| | - Gülgün Boşgelmez-Tinaz
- Department of Basic Pharmacy Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, 34854, Turkey
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39
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Carey RM, Hariri BM, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Lee RJ. HSP90 Modulates T2R Bitter Taste Receptor Nitric Oxide Production and Innate Immune Responses in Human Airway Epithelial Cells and Macrophages. Cells 2022; 11:1478. [PMID: 35563784 PMCID: PMC9101439 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed in various cell types including ciliated airway epithelial cells and macrophages. T2Rs in these two innate immune cell types are activated by bitter products, including those secreted by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, leading to Ca2+-dependent activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS). NO enhances mucociliary clearance and has direct antibacterial effects in ciliated epithelial cells. NO also increases phagocytosis by macrophages. Using biochemistry and live-cell imaging, we explored the role of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in regulating T2R-dependent NO pathways in primary sinonasal epithelial cells, primary monocyte-derived macrophages, and a human bronchiolar cell line (H441). Immunofluorescence showed that H441 cells express eNOS and T2Rs and that the bitter agonist denatonium benzoate activates NO production in a Ca2+- and HSP90-dependent manner in cells grown either as submerged cultures or at the air-liquid interface. In primary sinonasal epithelial cells, we determined that HSP90 inhibition reduces T2R-stimulated NO production and ciliary beating, which likely limits pathogen clearance. In primary monocyte-derived macrophages, we found that HSP-90 is integral to T2R-stimulated NO production and phagocytosis of FITC-labeled Escherichia coli and pHrodo-Staphylococcus aureus. Our study demonstrates that HSP90 serves as an innate immune modulator by regulating NO production downstream of T2R signaling by augmenting eNOS activation without impairing upstream Ca2+ signaling. These findings suggest that HSP90 plays an important role in airway antibacterial innate immunity and may be an important target in airway diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis, asthma, or cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M. Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Benjamin M. Hariri
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Nithin D. Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - James N. Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
| | - Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (B.M.H.); (N.D.A.); (J.N.P.)
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Piccirillo S, Morgan AP, Leon AY, Smith AL, Honigberg SM. Investigating cell autonomy in microorganisms. Curr Genet 2022; 68:305-318. [PMID: 35119506 PMCID: PMC9101301 DOI: 10.1007/s00294-022-01231-5] [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: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cell-cell signaling in microorganisms is still poorly characterized. In this Methods paper, we describe a genetic procedure for detecting cell-nonautonomous genetic effects, and in particular cell-cell signaling, termed the chimeric colony assay (CCA). The CCA measures the effect of a gene on a biological response in a neighboring cell. This assay can measure cell autonomy for range of biological activities including transcript or protein accumulation, subcellular localization, and cell differentiation. To date, the CCA has been used exclusively to investigate colony patterning in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To demonstrate the wider potential of the assay, we applied this assay to two other systems: the effect of Grr1 on glucose repression of GAL1 transcription in yeast and the effect of rpsL on stop-codon translational readthrough in Escherichia coli. We also describe variations of the standard CCA that address specific aspects of cell-cell signaling, and we delineate essential controls for this assay. Finally, we discuss complementary approaches to the CCA. Taken together, this Methods paper demonstrates how genetic assays can reveal and explore the roles of cell-cell signaling in microbial processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Piccirillo
- Department of Genetics, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Andrew P. Morgan
- Department of Genetics, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Andy Y. Leon
- Department of Genetics, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Annika L. Smith
- Department of Genetics, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Saul M. Honigberg
- Department of Genetics, Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5100 Rockhill Rd., Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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ABCDs of the Relative Contributions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Systems to Virulence in Diverse Nonvertebrate Hosts. mBio 2022; 13:e0041722. [PMID: 35311532 PMCID: PMC9040828 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00417-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen that exhibits pathogenicity in an unusually broad range of plants and animals, and it is of interest to study the roles of particular virulence-related factors in diverse hosts. The production of many P. aeruginosa virulence factors is under the control of a quorum sensing (QS) signaling network, which has three interconnected branches that engage in intricate cross talk: Las, Rhl, and MvfR. Because there has been no systematic comparison of the roles of the three QS systems in mediating P. aeruginosa virulence in various hosts, we compared the virulence of wild-type (WT) P. aeruginosa PA14 and a set of isogenic PA14 QS in-frame deletion mutants in four selected hosts, the reference plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis), the crop plant Brassica napus (canola), the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The first letters of the selected host genera, A, B, C, and D, inspired the title of this article and indicate that this work lays the groundwork for future elucidation of the specific roles of each QS branch in mediating virulence in diverse hosts.
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Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen of humans with hundreds of its virulence factors regulated by quorum sensing (QS) system. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) are also key regulators of bacterial virulence. However, the QS regulatory sRNAs (Qrrs) that have been characterized in P. aeruginosa are still largely unknown. Here, sRNA AmiL (PA3366.1) in the amiEBCRS operon of PAO1 was identified as a novel Qrr by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). The expression of AmiL was negatively regulated by the las or rhl system, of which RhlR probably inhibited its transcription. AmiL deletion mutant and overexpressing strains were constructed in PAO1. Broad phenotypic changes were found, including reduced pyocyanin synthesis, elastase activity, biofilm formation, hemolytic activity, and cytotoxicity, as well as increased rhamnolipid production and swarming motility. AmiL appears to be a new regulator that influences diverse QS-mediated virulence. Furthermore, AmiL directly targeted PhzC, a key member of pyocyanin synthesis. AmiL also negatively regulated lasI expression in the early growth of PAO1, but predominantly increased rhlI expression and C4-HSL production in the middle and late stages. Therefore, a novel QS-sRNA signaling cascade of las/rhl (RhlR)-AmiL-PhzC/las/rhl was demonstrated, and it will help to shed new light on the virulence regulatory network of P. aeruginosa PAO1. IMPORTANCEP. aeruginosa is a common nosocomial pathogen that causes diverse opportunistic infections in humans. The virulence crucial for infection is mainly regulated by QS. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) involved in virulence regulation have also been identified in many bacteria. Recently, there is a growing interest in the new sRNA species, QS regulatory sRNAs (Qrrs). Understanding Qrrs-mediated regulation in P. aeruginosa virulence is therefore important to combat infection. In this study, a previously uncharacterized sRNA AmiL in PAO1 has been identified as a novel Qrr. It has been found to influence diverse QS-mediated virulence factors including pyocyanin, elastase, rhamnolipid, and hemolysin, as well as biofilm formation, swarming motility, and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, PhzC essential for pyocyanin synthesis was a direct target of AmiL. QS gene expression and C4-HSL production were also regulated by AmiL. This study provides insights into the roles of Qrr AmiL in modulating P. aeruginosa virulence.
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Tuon FF, Dantas LR, Suss PH, Tasca Ribeiro VS. Pathogenesis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm: A Review. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030300. [PMID: 35335624 PMCID: PMC8950561 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with several human infections, mainly related to healthcare services. In the hospital, it is associated with resistance to several antibiotics, which poses a great challenge to therapy. However, one of the biggest challenges in treating P. aeruginosa infections is that related to biofilms. The complex structure of the P. aeruginosa biofilm contributes an additional factor to the pathogenicity of this microorganism, leading to therapeutic failure, in addition to escape from the immune system, and generating chronic infections that are difficult to eradicate. In this review, we address several molecular aspects of the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa biofilms.
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The PqsE-RhlR Interaction Regulates RhlR DNA Binding to Control Virulence Factor Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0210821. [PMID: 35019777 PMCID: PMC8754118 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02108-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes disease in immunocompromised individuals and individuals with underlying pulmonary disorders. P. aeruginosa virulence is controlled by quorum sensing (QS), a bacterial cell-cell communication mechanism that underpins transitions between individual and group behaviors. In P. aeruginosa, the PqsE enzyme and the QS receptor RhlR directly interact to control the expression of genes involved in virulence. Here, we show that three surface-exposed arginine residues on PqsE comprise the site required for interaction with RhlR. We show that a noninteracting PqsE variant [PqsE(NI)] possesses catalytic activity, but is incapable of promoting virulence phenotypes, indicating that interaction with RhlR, and not catalysis, drives these PqsE-dependent behaviors. Biochemical characterization of the PqsE-RhlR interaction coupled with RNA-seq analyses demonstrates that the PqsE-RhlR complex increases the affinity of RhlR for DNA, enabling enhanced expression of genes encoding key virulence factors. These findings provide the mechanism for PqsE-dependent regulation of RhlR and identify a unique regulatory feature of P. aeruginosa QS and its connection to virulence. IMPORTANCE Bacteria use a cell-cell communication process called quorum sensing (QS) to orchestrate collective behaviors. QS relies on the group-wide detection of molecules called autoinducers (AI). QS is required for virulence in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause fatal infections in patients with underlying pulmonary disorders. In this study, we determine the molecular basis for the physical interaction between two virulence-driving QS components, PqsE and RhlR. We find that the ability of PqsE to bind RhlR correlates with virulence factor production. Since current antimicrobial therapies exacerbate the growing antibiotic resistance problem because they target bacterial growth, we suggest that the PqsE-RhlR interface discovered here represents a new candidate for targeting with small molecule inhibition. Therapeutics that disrupt the PqsE-RhlR interaction should suppress virulence. Targeting bacterial behaviors such as QS, rather than bacterial growth, represents an attractive alternative for exploration because such therapies could potentially minimize the development of resistance.
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Jeske A, Arce-Rodriguez A, Thöming JG, Tomasch J, Häussler S. Evolution of biofilm-adapted gene expression profiles in lasR-deficient clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2022; 8:6. [PMID: 35165270 PMCID: PMC8844440 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-022-00268-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The overall success of a pathogenic microbe depends on its ability to efficiently adapt to challenging conditions in the human host. Long-term evolution experiments track and predict adaptive trajectories and have contributed significantly to our understanding of the driving forces of bacterial adaptation. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional study instead of long-term longitudinal evolution experiments. We analyzed the transcriptional profiles as well as genomic sequence variations of a large number of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that have been recovered from different infected human sites. Convergent changes in gene expression patterns were found in different groups of clinical isolates. The majority of repeatedly observed expression patterns could be attributed to a defective lasR gene, which encodes the major quorum-sensing regulator LasR. Strikingly, the gene expression pattern of the lasR-defective strains appeared to reflect a transcriptional response that evolves in a direction consistent with growth within a biofilm. In a process of genetic assimilation, lasR-deficient P. aeruginosa isolates appear to constitutively express a biofilm-adapted transcriptional profile and no longer require a respective environmental trigger. Our results demonstrate that profiling the functional consequences of pathoadaptive mutations in clinical isolates reveals long-term evolutionary pathways and may explain the success of lasR mutants in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa in a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Jeske
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alejandro Arce-Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
| | - Janne G Thöming
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jürgen Tomasch
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Susanne Häussler
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, 30265, Hannover, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, 30265, Hannover, Germany.
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RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis of AHL-induced biofilm and pyocyanin inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Lactobacillus brevis. Int Microbiol 2022; 25:447-456. [DOI: 10.1007/s10123-021-00228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Miranda SW, Asfahl KL, Dandekar AA, Greenberg EP. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1386:95-115. [PMID: 36258070 PMCID: PMC9942581 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-08491-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, like many bacteria, uses chemical signals to communicate between cells in a process called quorum sensing (QS). QS allows groups of bacteria to sense population density and, in response to changing cell densities, to coordinate behaviors. The P. aeruginosa QS system consists of two complete circuits that involve acyl-homoserine lactone signals and a third system that uses quinolone signals. Together, these three QS circuits regulate the expression of hundreds of genes, many of which code for virulence factors. P. aeruginosa has become a model for studying the molecular biology of QS and the ecology and evolution of group behaviors in bacteria. In this chapter, we recount the history of discovery of QS systems in P. aeruginosa, discuss how QS relates to virulence and the ecology of this bacterium, and explore strategies to inhibit QS. Finally, we discuss future directions for research in P. aeruginosa QS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kyle L Asfahl
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ajai A Dandekar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - E P Greenberg
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
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McMahon DB, Kuek LE, Johnson ME, Johnson PO, Horn RL, Carey RM, Adappa ND, Palmer JN, Lee RJ. The bitter end: T2R bitter receptor agonists elevate nuclear calcium and induce apoptosis in non-ciliated airway epithelial cells. Cell Calcium 2022; 101:102499. [PMID: 34839223 PMCID: PMC8752513 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2021.102499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Bitter taste receptors (T2Rs) localize to airway motile cilia and initiate innate immune responses in retaliation to bacterial quorum sensing molecules. Activation of cilia T2Rs leads to calcium-driven NO production that increases cilia beating and directly kills bacteria. Several diseases, including chronic rhinosinusitis, COPD, and cystic fibrosis, are characterized by loss of motile cilia and/or squamous metaplasia. To understand T2R function within the altered landscape of airway disease, we studied T2Rs in non-ciliated airway cell lines and primary cells. Several T2Rs localize to the nucleus in de-differentiated cells that typically localize to cilia in differentiated cells. As cilia and nuclear import utilize shared proteins, some T2Rs may target to the nucleus in the absence of motile cilia. T2R agonists selectively elevated nuclear and mitochondrial calcium through a G-protein-coupled receptor phospholipase C mechanism. Additionally, T2R agonists decreased nuclear cAMP, increased nitric oxide, and increased cGMP, consistent with T2R signaling. Furthermore, exposure to T2R agonists led to nuclear calcium-induced mitochondrial depolarization and caspase activation. T2R agonists induced apoptosis in primary bronchial and nasal cells differentiated at air-liquid interface but then induced to a squamous phenotype by apical submersion. Air-exposed well-differentiated cells did not die. This may be a last-resort defense against bacterial infection. However, it may also increase susceptibility of de-differentiated or remodeled epithelia to damage by bacterial metabolites. Moreover, the T2R-activated apoptosis pathway occurs in airway cancer cells. T2Rs may thus contribute to microbiome-tumor cell crosstalk in airway cancers. Targeting T2Rs may be useful for activating cancer cell apoptosis while sparing surrounding tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek B. McMahon
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Correspondence: Derek B. McMahon, PhD or Robert J. Lee, PhD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA, 215-573-9766, (D.B.M.) or (R.J.L)
| | - Li Eon Kuek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Madeline E. Johnson
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paige O. Johnson
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel L.J. Horn
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ryan M. Carey
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nithin D. Adappa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James N. Palmer
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert J. Lee
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Department of Physiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA,Correspondence: Derek B. McMahon, PhD or Robert J. Lee, PhD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA, 215-573-9766, (D.B.M.) or (R.J.L)
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Liao J, Shen D, Lin L, Chen H, Jin Y, Chou SH, Yu XQ, Li T, Qian G. Bacterial quorum sensing quenching activity of Lysobacter leucyl aminopeptidase acts by interacting with autoinducer synthase. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2021; 19:6179-6190. [PMID: 34900131 PMCID: PMC8632722 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) is the most studied autoinducer in gram-negative bacteria controlling infections of various pathogens. Quenching of AHL signaling by inhibiting AHL synthesis or AHL-receptor binding via small molecular chemicals or enzymatically degrading AHL is commonly used to block bacterial infections. Here, we describe a new quorum-quenching strategy that directly “acquires” bacterial genes/proteins through a defined platform. We artificially expressed a typical AHL synthase gene pcoI from the biocontrol Pseudomonas fluorescens 2P24 in the antifungal bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes OH11 lacking AHL production. This step led to the discovery of multiple PcoI interacting protein candidates from L. enzymogenes. The individual expression of these candidate genes in 2P24 led to the identification of Le0959, which encodes leucyl aminopeptidase, an effective protein that inhibits AHL synthesis in 2P24. Therefore, we define Le0959 as LqqP (Lysobacterquorum-quenching protein). The expression of pcoI in E. coli could produce AHL, and the introduction of lqqP into E. coli expressing pcoI could prevent the production of AHL. LqqP directly binds to PcoI, and this protein–protein binding reduced the abundance of free PcoI (capable of AHL synthesis) in vivo, thereby blocking PcoI-dependent AHL production. Overall, this study highlights the discovery of LqqP in quenching AHL quorum sensing by binding to AHL synthase via developing a previously-uncharacterized screening technique for bacterial quorum quenching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxing Liao
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Danyu Shen
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Long Lin
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
| | - Hongjun Chen
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Yajie Jin
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Shan-Ho Chou
- Institute of Biochemistry, and NCHU Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Xiao-Quan Yu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Activities and Stress Adaptations, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Tao Li
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Guoliang Qian
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, No.1 Weigang, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210095, PR China
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