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Liebergesell TCE, Puri AW. Linking biosynthetic genes to natural products using inverse stable isotopic labeling (InverSIL). Methods Enzymol 2024; 702:215-227. [PMID: 39155113 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2024.06.005] [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: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
The sequencing of microbial genomes has far outpaced their functional annotation. Stable isotopic labeling can be used to link biosynthetic genes with their natural products; however, the availability of the required isotopically substituted precursors can limit the accessibility of this approach. Here, we describe a method for using inverse stable isotopic labeling (InverSIL) to link biosynthetic genes with their natural products. With InverSIL, a microbe is grown on an isotopically substituted medium to create a fully substituted culture, and subsequently, the incorporation of precursors of natural isotopic abundance can be tracked by mass spectrometry. This eliminates issues with isotopically substituted precursor availability. We demonstrate the utility of this approach by linking a luxI-type acyl-homoserine lactone synthase gene in a bacterium that grows on methanol with its quorum sensing signal products. In the future, InverSIL can also be used to link biosynthetic gene clusters hypothesized to produce siderophores with their natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tashi C E Liebergesell
- Department of Chemistry and the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Aaron W Puri
- Department of Chemistry and the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.
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2
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Giannantoni L, Bardini R, Savino A, Di Carlo S. Biology System Description Language (BiSDL): a modeling language for the design of multicellular synthetic biological systems. BMC Bioinformatics 2024; 25:166. [PMID: 38664639 PMCID: PMC11046772 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-024-05782-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Biology System Description Language (BiSDL) is an accessible, easy-to-use computational language for multicellular synthetic biology. It allows synthetic biologists to represent spatiality and multi-level cellular dynamics inherent to multicellular designs, filling a gap in the state of the art. Developed for designing and simulating spatial, multicellular synthetic biological systems, BiSDL integrates high-level conceptual design with detailed low-level modeling, fostering collaboration in the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle. BiSDL descriptions directly compile into Nets-Within-Nets (NWNs) models, offering a unique approach to spatial and hierarchical modeling in biological systems. RESULTS BiSDL's effectiveness is showcased through three case studies on complex multicellular systems: a bacterial consortium, a synthetic morphogen system and a conjugative plasmid transfer process. These studies highlight the BiSDL proficiency in representing spatial interactions and multi-level cellular dynamics. The language facilitates the compilation of conceptual designs into detailed, simulatable models, leveraging the NWNs formalism. This enables intuitive modeling of complex biological systems, making advanced computational tools more accessible to a broader range of researchers. CONCLUSIONS BiSDL represents a significant step forward in computational languages for synthetic biology, providing a sophisticated yet user-friendly tool for designing and simulating complex biological systems with an emphasis on spatiality and cellular dynamics. Its introduction has the potential to transform research and development in synthetic biology, allowing for deeper insights and novel applications in understanding and manipulating multicellular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Giannantoni
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Roberta Bardini
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Savino
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
| | - Stefano Di Carlo
- Department of Control and Computer Engineering, Polytechnic University of Turin, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 100129, Turin, TO, Italy
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3
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Wallace M, Cummings, Jr. DA, Roberts AG, Puri AW. A widespread methylotroph acyl-homoserine lactone synthase produces a new quorum sensing signal that regulates swarming in Methylobacterium fujisawaense. mBio 2024; 15:e0199923. [PMID: 38085021 PMCID: PMC10790750 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01999-23] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Bacteria known as pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs colonize many diverse environments on earth, play an important role in the carbon cycle, and in some cases promote plant growth. However, little is known about how these organisms interact with each other and their environment. In this work, we identify one of the chemical signals commonly used by these bacteria and discover that this signal controls swarming motility in the pink-pigmented facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium fujisawaense DSM5686. This work provides new molecular details about interactions between these important bacteria and will help scientists predict these interactions and the group behaviors they regulate from genomic sequencing information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mike Wallace
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Dale A. Cummings, Jr.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Andrew G. Roberts
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Aaron W. Puri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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4
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Wallace BA, Varona NS, Hesketh-Best PJ, Stiffler AK, Silveira CB. Globally distributed bacteriophage genomes reveal mechanisms of tripartite phage-bacteria-coral interactions. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae132. [PMID: 39030686 PMCID: PMC11309003 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae132] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Reef-building corals depend on an intricate community of microorganisms for functioning and resilience. The infection of coral-associated bacteria by bacteriophages can modify bacterial ecological interactions, yet very little is known about phage functions in the holobiont. This gap stems from methodological limitations that have prevented the recovery of high-quality viral genomes and bacterial host assignment from coral samples. Here, we introduce a size fractionation approach that increased bacterial and viral recovery in coral metagenomes by 9-fold and 2-fold, respectively, and enabled the assembly and binning of bacterial and viral genomes at relatively low sequencing coverage. We combined these viral genomes with those derived from 677 publicly available metagenomes, viromes, and bacterial isolates from stony corals to build a global coral virus database of over 20,000 viral genomic sequences spanning four viral realms. The tailed bacteriophage families Kyanoviridae and Autographiviridae were the most abundant, replacing groups formerly referred to as Myoviridae and Podoviridae, respectively. Prophage and CRISPR spacer linkages between these viruses and 626 bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes and bacterial isolates showed that most viruses infected Alphaproteobacteria, the most abundant class, and less abundant taxa like Halanaerobiia and Bacteroidia. A host-phage-gene network identified keystone viruses with the genomic capacity to modulate bacterial metabolic pathways and direct molecular interactions with eukaryotic cells. This study reveals the genomic basis of nested symbioses between bacteriophage, bacteria, and the coral host and its endosymbiotic algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A Wallace
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Natascha S Varona
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Poppy J Hesketh-Best
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
- Department Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, United States
| | - Alexandra K Stiffler
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
| | - Cynthia B Silveira
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, United States
- Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL 33149, United States
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5
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Liao J, Li Z, Xiong D, Shen D, Wang L, Lin L, Shao X, Liao L, Li P, Zhang LQ, Wang HH, Qian G. Quorum quenching by a type IVA secretion system effector. THE ISME JOURNAL 2023; 17:1564-1577. [PMID: 37340074 PMCID: PMC10504344 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-023-01457-2] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Proteobacteria primarily utilize acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) as quorum-sensing signals for intra-/interspecies communication to control pathogen infections. Enzymatic degradation of AHL represents the major quorum-quenching mechanism that has been developed as a promising approach to prevent bacterial infections. Here we identified a novel quorum-quenching mechanism revealed by an effector of the type IVA secretion system (T4ASS) in bacterial interspecies competition. We found that the soil antifungal bacterium Lysobacter enzymogenes OH11 (OH11) could use T4ASS to deliver the effector protein Le1288 into the cytoplasm of another soil microbiome bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 2P24 (2P24). Le1288 did not degrade AHL, whereas its delivery to strain 2P24 significantly impaired AHL production through binding to the AHL synthase PcoI. Therefore, we defined Le1288 as LqqE1 (Lysobacter quorum-quenching effector 1). Formation of the LqqE1-PcoI complex enabled LqqE1 to block the ability of PcoI to recognize/bind S-adenosy-L-methionine, a substrate required for AHL synthesis. This LqqE1-triggered interspecies quorum-quenching in bacteria seemed to be of key ecological significance, as it conferred strain OH11 a better competitive advantage in killing strain 2P24 via cell-to-cell contact. This novel quorum-quenching also appeared to be adopted by other T4ASS-production bacteria. Our findings suggest a novel quorum-quenching that occurred naturally in bacterial interspecies interactions within the soil microbiome by effector translocation. Finally, we presented two case studies showing the application potential of LqqE1 to block AHL signaling in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum.
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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, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihan Li
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Xiong
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danyu Shen
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Limin Wang
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Long Lin
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaolong Shao
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lisheng Liao
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 510642, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Ecology of Tropical Islands, Key Laboratory of Tropical Animal and Plant Ecology of Hainan Province, College of Life Sciences, Hainan Normal University, Haikou, China
| | - Li-Qun Zhang
- Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Hong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Protein Function and Regulation in Agricultural Organisms, College of Life Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guoliang Qian
- College of Plant Protection, Laboratory of Plant Immunity, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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6
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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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7
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Weaver BP, Haselwandter CA, Boedicker JQ. Stochastic effects in bacterial communication mediated by extracellular vesicles. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:024409. [PMID: 36932546 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.024409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) allows bacterial cells to sense changes in local cell density and, hence, to regulate multicellular processes, including biofilm formation, regulation of virulence, and horizontal gene transfer. While, traditionally, QS was thought to involve the exchange of extracellular signal molecules free in solution, recent experiments have shown that for some bacterial systems a substantial fraction of signal molecules are packaged and delivered in extracellular vesicles. How the packaging of signal molecules in extracellular vesicles influences the ability of cells to communicate and coordinate multicellular behaviors remains largely unknown. We present here a stochastic reaction-diffusion model of QS that accounts for the exchange of both freely diffusing and vesicle-associated signal molecules. We find that the delivery of signal molecules via extracellular vesicles amplifies local fluctuations in the signal concentration, which can strongly affect the dynamics and spatial range of bacterial communication. For systems with multiple bacterial colonies, extracellular vesicles provide an alternate pathway for signal transport between colonies, and may be crucial for long-distance signal exchange in environments with strong degradation of free signal molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian P Weaver
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - Christoph A Haselwandter
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
- Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
| | - James Q Boedicker
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, USA
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8
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Stephens K, Bentley WE. Quorum Sensing from Two Engineers’ Perspectives. Isr J Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/ijch.202200083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Stephens
- Thayer School of Engineering Dartmouth College Hanover NH USA
- Center for Bioenergy Innovation Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN USA
| | - William E. Bentley
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering University of Maryland College Park MD USA
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research University of Maryland College Park MD USA [e]Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices University of Maryland College Park MD USA
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9
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Shpigel E, Nathansohn S, Glozman A, Rosen R, Shemer B, Yagur‐Kroll S, Elad T, Belkin S. Introduction of quorum sensing elements into bacterial bioreporter circuits enhances explosives' detection capabilities. Eng Life Sci 2022; 22:308-318. [PMID: 35382532 PMCID: PMC8961053 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A possible solution for the standoff detection of buried landmines is based on the use of microbial bioreporters, genetically engineered to emit a remotely detectable optical signal in response to trace amounts of explosives' signature chemicals, mostly 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). Previously developed DNT sensor strains were based on the fusion of a DNT-inducible gene promoter to a reporting element, either a fluorescent protein gene or a bacterial bioluminescence gene cassette. In the present study, a different approach was used: the DNT-inducible promoter activates, in Escherichia coli, the quorum-sensing luxI and luxR genes of Aliivibrio fischeri. N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL), synthesized by LuxI, combines with LuxR and activates the bioluminescence reporter genes. The resulting bioreporter displayed a dose-dependent luminescent signal in the presence of DNT. Performance of the sensor strain was further enhanced by manipulation of the sensing element (combining the E. coli DNT-inducible azoR and yqjF gene promoters), by replacing the luminescence gene cassette of Photorhabdus luminescens luxCDABE with A. fischeri luxCDABEG, and by introducing two mutations, eutE and ygdD, into the host strain. DNT detection sensitivity of the final bioreporter was over 340-fold higher than the original construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etai Shpigel
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Shiri Nathansohn
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Anat Glozman
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Rachel Rosen
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Benjamin Shemer
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Sharon Yagur‐Kroll
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Tal Elad
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
| | - Shimshon Belkin
- Department of Plant and Environmental SciencesThe Alexander Silberman Institute of Life SciencesThe Hebrew University of JerusalemJerusalemIsrael
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10
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Li S, Wu S, Ren Y, Meng Q, Yin J, Yu Z. Characterization of differentiated autoregulation of LuxI/LuxR-type quorum sensing system in Pseudoalteromonas. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 590:177-183. [PMID: 34990892 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.12.107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria usually use acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs)-mediated LuxI/LuxR-type quorum sensing (QS) systems for cell-cell cooperation and/or bacteria-environment communication. LuxI and LuxR are AHLs synthase and receptor, respectively. These two parts could form a positive regulatory feedback loop, controlling various types of group behaviors. However, the autoregulation mechanisms between them are fragmented and could be highly differentiated in different bacteria. Here, we clarified the autoregulation mechanism between LuxI and LuxR in Pseudoalteromonas sp. R3. YasI (LuxI in strain R3) synthesizes two types of AHLs, C8-HSL and 3-OH-C8-HSL. It is worth noting that YasR (LuxR in strain R3) only responds to C8-HSL rather than 3-OH-C8-HSL. YasR-C8HSL can activate the yasI transcription by recognizing "lux box" at yasI upstream. Interestingly, YasR can directly promote the yasR expression with AHL-independent manner, but AHL absence caused by the yasI-deficiency led to the significant decrease in the yasR expression. Further study demonstrated that the yasI-deficiency can result in the decrease in the yasR mRNA stability. Notably, both yasI-deficiency and yasR-deficiency led to the significant decrease in the expression of hfq encoding RNA chaperone. Therefore, it was speculated that not only YasR itself can directly regulate the yasR transcription, but YasR-C8HSL complex indirectly affects the yasR mRNA stability by regulating Hfq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangjia Li
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shijun Wu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yixuan Ren
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiu Meng
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Yin
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiliang Yu
- College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
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11
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Ali F, Cai Q, Hu J, Zhang L, Hoare R, Monaghan SJ, Pang H. In silico analysis of AhyI protein and AI-1 inhibition using N-cis-octadec-9z-enoyl-l-homoserine lactone inhibitor in Aeromonas hydrophila. Microb Pathog 2021; 162:105356. [PMID: 34915138 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AhyI is homologous to the protein LuxI and is conserved throughout bacterial species including Aeromonas hydrophila. A. hydrophila causes opportunistic infections in fish and other aquatic organisms. Furthermore, this pathogennot only poses a great risk for the aquaculture industry, but also for human public health. AhyI (expressing acylhomoserine lactone) is responsible for the biosynthesis of autoinducer-1 (AI-1), commonly referred to as a quorum sensing (QS) signaling molecule, which plays an essential role in bacterial communication. Studying protein structure is essential for understanding molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity in microbes. Here, we have deduced a predicted structure of AhyI protein and characterized its function using in silico methods to aid the development of new treatments for controlling A.hydrophila infections. In addition to modeling AhyI, an appropriate inhibitor molecule was identified via high throughput virtual screening (HTVS) using mcule drug-like databases.The AhyI-inhibitor N-cis-octadec-9Z-enoyl-l-Homoserine lactone was selected withthe best drug score. In order to understand the pocket sites (ligand binding sites) and their interaction with the selected inhibitor, docking (predicted protein binding complex) servers were used and the selected ligand was docked with the predicted AhyI protein model. Remarkably, N-cis-octadec-9Z-enoyl-l-Homoserine lactone established interfaces with the protein via16 residues (V24, R27, F28, R31, W34, V36, D45, M77, F82, T101, R102, L103, 104, V143, S145, and V168), which are involved with regulating mechanisms of inhibition. These proposed predictions suggest that this inhibitor molecule may be used as a novel drug candidate for the inhibition of auto-inducer-1 (AI-1) activity.The N-cis-octadec-9Z-enoyl-l-Homoserine lactone inhibitor molecule was studied on cultured bacteria to validate its potency against AI-1 production. At a concentration of 40 μM, optimal inhibition efficiency of AI-1 was observedin bacterial culture media.These results suggest that the inhibitor molecule N-cis-octadec-9Z-enoyl-l-Homoserine lactone is a competitive inhibitor of AI-1 biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farman Ali
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro Ecological Processing and Safety Monitoring, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 35002, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, 35002, China
| | - Qilan Cai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro Ecological Processing and Safety Monitoring, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 35002, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, 35002, China
| | - Jialing Hu
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animal, Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, 524025, China
| | - Lishan Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro Ecological Processing and Safety Monitoring, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, 35002, China; Key Laboratory of Crop Ecology and Molecular Physiology (Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University) Fujian Province University, Fuzhou, 35002, China
| | - Rowena Hoare
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Sean J Monaghan
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Huanying Pang
- College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524025, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Economic Animal, Key Laboratory of Control for Disease of Aquatic Animals of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Zhanjiang, 524025, China.
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12
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Xu Y, Curtis T, Dolfing J, Wu Y, Rittmann BE. N-acyl-homoserine-lactones signaling as a critical control point for phosphorus entrapment by multi-species microbial aggregates. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 204:117627. [PMID: 34509868 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) has been extensively studied in pure stains of microorganisms, but the ecological roles of QS in multi-species microbial aggregates are poorly understood due to the aggregates' heterogeneity and complexity, in particular the phosphorus (P) entrapment, a key aspect of element cycling. Using periphytic biofilm as a microbial-aggregate model, we addressed how QS signaling via N-acyl-homoserine-lactones (AHLs) regulated P entrapment. The most-abundant AHLs detected were C8-HSL, 3OC8-HSL, and C12-HSL, are the primary regulator of P entrapment in the periphytic biofilm. QS signaling-AHL is a beneficial molecule for bacterial growth in periphytic biofilm and the addition of these three AHLs optimized polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) community. Growth promotion was accompanied by up-regulation of pyrimidine, purine and energy metabolism. Both intra- and extra-cellular P entrapment were enhanced in the addition of AHLs. AHLs increased extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production to drive extracellular P entrapment, via up-regulating amino acids biosynthesis and amino sugar/nucleotide sugar metabolism. Also, AHLs improved intracellular P entrapment potential by regulating genes involved in inorganic-P accumulation (ppk, ppx) and P uptake and transport (pit, pstSCAB). This proof-of-concept evidence about how QS signaling regulates P entrapment by microbial aggregates paves the way for managing QS to enhance P removal by microbial aggregates in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China; Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Ecosystem, Observation and Research Station of Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China, Shuitianba Zigui, Yichang 443605, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Thomas Curtis
- School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jan Dolfing
- Faculty of Energy and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH, UK
| | - Yonghong Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 71 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, China; Zigui Three Gorges Reservoir Ecosystem, Observation and Research Station of Ministry of Water Resources of the People's Republic of China, Shuitianba Zigui, Yichang 443605, China.
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P. O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, USA
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Zhang TZ, Liu LP, Ye L, Li WC, Xin B, Xie YY, Jia SR, Wang TF, Zhong C. The production of bacterial cellulose in Gluconacetobacter xylinus regulated by luxR overexpression of quorum sensing system. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:7801-7811. [PMID: 34581846 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11603-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a mechanism that facilitates cell-to-cell communication. Through signal molecular density for signal recognition, which leads to the regulation of some physiological and biochemical functions. Gluconacetobacter xylinus CGMCC 2955, which produces bacterial cellulose (BC), synthesizes the LuxR protein belonging to the LuxI/LuxR type QS system. Here, a luxR overexpression vector was transformed into G. xylinus CGMCC 2955. The overexpression of luxR increased the yield of BC by 15.6% after 16 days static culture and reduced the cell density by 15.5% after 120-h-agitated culture. The glucose was used up by G. xylinus-pMV24-luxR at 72-h-agitated fermentation, which 12 h earlier than the wild-type (WT). The total N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) content of the luxR-overexpressing strain and the WT strain attained 1367.9 ± 57.86 mg/L and 842.9 ± 54.22 mg/L, respectively. The C12-HSL and C14-HSL contents of G. xylinus-pMV24-luxR were 202 ± 21.66 mg/L and 409.6 ± 0.91 mg/L, which were significantly lower than that of WT. In contrast, C6-HSL showed opposite results. The difference of AHL content proved that overexpression of luxR improved the binding of AHL and showed preference for some specific AHL. The metabolic results demonstrated that upon glucose exhaustion, the consumption of gluconic acid was promoted by luxR overexpression, and the content of D- ( +)-trehalose, an antiretrograde metabolite, increased significantly. KEY POINTS: • The overexpression of luxR increased the yield of bacterial cellulose • The content of signal molecules was significantly different • Differential metabolites were involved in multiple metabolic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Zhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling-Pu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Ye
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Chao Li
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Xin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan-Yan Xie
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Ru Jia
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Teng-Fei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan, 250353, People's Republic of China.
| | - Cheng Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, People's Republic of China.
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Alabresm A, Chandler SL, Benicewicz BC, Decho AW. Nanotargeting of Resistant Infections with a Special Emphasis on the Biofilm Landscape. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1411-1430. [PMID: 34319073 PMCID: PMC8527872 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial resistance to antimicrobial compounds is a growing concern in medical and public health circles. Overcoming the adaptable and duplicative resistance mechanisms of bacteria requires chemistry-based approaches. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) now offer unique advantages toward this effort. However, most in situ infections (in humans) occur as attached biofilms enveloped in a protective surrounding matrix of extracellular polymers, where survival of microbial cells is enhanced. This presents special considerations in the design and deployment of antimicrobials. Here, we review recent efforts to combat resistant bacterial strains using NPs and, then, explore how NP surfaces may be specifically engineered to enhance the potency and delivery of antimicrobial compounds. Special NP-engineering challenges in the design of NPs must be overcome to penetrate the inherent protective barriers of the biofilm and to successfully deliver antimicrobials to bacterial cells. Future challenges are discussed in the development of new antibiotics and their mechanisms of action and targeted delivery via NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjed Alabresm
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
- Department of Biological Development of Shatt Al-Arab & N. Arabian Gulf, Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
| | - Savannah L Chandler
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Brian C Benicewicz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
- USC NanoCenter, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Alan W Decho
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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15
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Huang Y, Lu Z, Jiang T, Zeng Y, Zeng Y, Chen B. Oxygen availability affects the synthesis of quorum sensing signal in the facultative anaerobe Novosphingobium pentaromativorans US6-1. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:1191-1201. [PMID: 33439275 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11089-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial populations rely on quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate their behaviors and are often challenged by the fluctuation in oxygen concentrations in their habitats. Oxygen is a crucial factor that affects bacterial metabolism in multiple ways. However, little is known about whether and how oxygen availability affects QS activities. To fill this gap, we used the facultative anaerobe Novosphingobium pentaromativorans US6-1 as a model system, and observed that the QS signal acyl homoserine-lactones (AHLs) were produced only in anoxic environments, such as biofilm, or liquid medium that initially contained less than 2 mg/L dissolved oxygen, but not in highly oxic environments. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that oxygen availability significantly affected the physiological activities in US6-1, including fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle, QS activities, and flagellar assembly. The absence of AHLs in the oxic culture was not due to degradation, but to the very low expression of the AHL synthase gene novI. High concentration of NADH during the middle log phase under static cultivation may be a trigger for AHL synthesis. This is the first report that production of AHLs is coupled with anoxic metabolism in a facultative anaerobe, which extends our knowledge on factors affecting bacterial QS occurrence. KEY POINTS: • AHL production is anoxic cultivation related. • Oxygen availability affects AHL synthesis by influencing novI expression. • Oxygen availability changes many metabolism activities including NADH production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Bulding NongB, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Zejia Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Bulding NongB, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Bulding NongB, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yonghui Zeng
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Yanhua Zeng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Bulding NongB, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Baoliang Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Bulding NongB, Hangzhou, 310058, China
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16
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Li J, Zhao X. Effects of quorum sensing on the biofilm formation and viable but non-culturable state. Food Res Int 2020; 137:109742. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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17
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El-Mowafy M, Elgaml A, Shaaban M. New Approaches for Competing Microbial Resistance and Virulence. Microorganisms 2020. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.90388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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18
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Dong SH, Nhu-Lam M, Nagarajan R, Nair SK. Structure-Guided Biochemical Analysis of Quorum Signal Synthase Specificities. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:1497-1504. [PMID: 32356962 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many bacteria use membrane-diffusible small molecule quorum signals to coordinate gene transcription in response to changes in cell density, known as quorum sensing (QS). Among these, acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) are widely distributed in Proteobacteria and are involved in controlling the expression of virulence genes and biofilm formation in pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. AHL molecules are specifically biosynthesized by the cognate LuxI type AHL synthases using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and either acyl carrier protein (ACP)- or CoA-coupled fatty acids through a two-step reaction. Here, we characterize a CoA-dependent LuxI synthase from Rhodopseudomonas palustris that utilizes an aryl-CoA substrate that is environmentally derived, specifically p-coumaric acid. We leverage structures of this aryl-CoA-dependent synthase, along with our prior studies of an acyl-CoA-dependent synthase, to identify residues that confer substrate chain specificity in these enzymes. We test our predictions by carrying out biochemical, kinetic, and structural characterization of representative AHL signal synthases. Our studies provide an understanding of various AHL synthases that may be deployed in synthetic biological applications and inform on the design of specific small molecule therapeutics that can restrict virulence by targeting quorum signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mila Nhu-Lam
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States
| | - Rajesh Nagarajan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho, United States
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Piewngam P, Chiou J, Chatterjee P, Otto M. Alternative approaches to treat bacterial infections: targeting quorum-sensing. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:499-510. [PMID: 32243194 PMCID: PMC11032741 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1750951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The emergence of multi- and pan-drug-resistant bacteria represents a global crisis that calls for the development of alternative anti-infective strategies. These comprise anti-virulence approaches, which target pathogenicity without exerting a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect and are claimed to reduce the development of resistance. Because in many pathogens, quorum-sensing (QS) systems control the expression of virulence factors, interference with QS, or quorum-quenching, is often proposed as a strategy with a broad anti-virulence effect.Areas covered: We discuss the role and regulatory targets of QS control in selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, focusing on those with clinical importance and QS control of virulence. We present the components of QS systems that form possible targets for the development of anti-virulence drugs and discuss recent research on quorum-quenching approaches to control bacterial infection.Expert opinion: While there has been extensive research on QS systems and quorum-quenching approaches, there is a paucity of in-vivo research using adequate animal models to substantiate applicability. In-vivo research on QS blockers needs to be intensified and optimized to use clinically relevant setups, in order to underscore that such drugs can be used effectively to overcome problems associated with the treatment of severe infections by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pipat Piewngam
- Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Janice Chiou
- Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Priyanka Chatterjee
- Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
| | - Michael Otto
- Pathogen Molecular Genetics Section, Laboratory of Bacteriology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA
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Jin L, Zhang X, Shi H, Wang W, Qiao Z, Yang W, Du W. Identification of a Novel N-Acyl Homoserine Lactone Synthase, AhyI, in Aeromonas hydrophila and Structural Basis for Its Substrate Specificity. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2020; 68:2516-2527. [PMID: 32050067 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b07833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the Gram-negative bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated quorum sensing (QS) influences pathogenicity, protein secretion, and motility. However, the catalytic mechanism of AHL biosynthesis and the structural basis and substrate specificity for AhyI members remain unclear. In this study, we cloned the ahyI gene from the isolate A. hydrophila HX-3, and the overexpressed AhyI protein was confirmed to produce six types of AHLs by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis, contrasting with previous reports that AhyI only produces N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and N-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL). The results of an in vitro biosynthetic assay showed that purified AhyI can catalyze the formation of C4-HSL using S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) and butyryl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) as substrates and indicated that the fatty acyl substrate used in AhyI-mediated AHL synthesis is derived from acyl-ACP rather than acyl-CoA. The kinetic data of AhyI using butyryl-ACP as an acyl substrate indicated that the catalytic efficiency of the A. hydrophila HX-3 AhyI enzyme is within an order of magnitude compared to other LuxI homologues. In this study, for the first time, the tertiary structural modeling results of AhyI and those of molecular docking and structural and functional analyses showed the importance of several crucial residues, as well as the secondary structure with respect to acylation. A Phe125-Phe152 clamp grasps the terminal methyl group to assist in stabilizing the long acyl chains in a putative binding pocket. The stacking interactions within a strong hydrophobic environment, a hydrogen-bonding network, and a β bulge presumably stabilize the ACP acyl chain for the attack of the SAM α-amine toward the thioester carbon, offering a relatively reasonable explanation for how AhyI can synthesize AHLs with diverse acyl-chain lengths. Moreover, Trp34 participates in forming the binding pocket for C4-ACP and becomes ordered upon SAM binding, providing a good basis for catalysis. The novel finding that AhyI can produce both short- and long-chain AHLs enhances current knowledge regarding the variety of AHLs produced by this enzyme. These structural data are expected to serve as a molecular rationale for AHL synthesis by AhyI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Jin
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Xiaojun Zhang
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
- Zhoushan Fishery Environments & Aquatic Products Quality Monitoring Center of Ministry of Agriculture China , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Hui Shi
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Marine Fishery Research Institute of Zhejiang Province , Zhoushan 316021 , P. R. China
| | - Zhaohui Qiao
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
| | - Wenge Yang
- College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Protein Food Deep Processing Technology of Zhejiang Province , Ningbo University , Ningbo 315211 , P. R. China
| | - Wenyi Du
- Sichuan MoDe Technology Co., Ltd. , Chengdu 610000 , P. R. China
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Proctor CR, McCarron PA, Ternan NG. Furanone quorum-sensing inhibitors with potential as novel therapeutics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Med Microbiol 2020; 69:195-206. [PMID: 31971503 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Micro-organisms use quorum sensing (QS), a cell density-dependent process, to communicate. This QS mode of interchange leads to the production of a variety of virulence factors, co-ordination of complex bacterial behaviours, such as swarming motility, degradation of host tissue and biofilm formation. QS is implicated in numerous human infections and consequently researchers have sought ways of effectively inhibiting the process in pathogenic bacteria. Two decades ago, furanones were the first class of chemical compounds identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa QS inhibitors (QSIs). P. aeruginosa is a ubiquitous organism, capable of causing a wide range of infections in humans, including eye and ear infections, wound infections and potentially fatal bacteraemia and thus novel treatments against this organism are greatly needed. This review provides a brief background on QS and the use of furanones as QSIs. Based on the effectiveness of action, both in vivo and in vitro, we will explore the use of furanones as potential antimicrobial therapeutics and conclude with open questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris R Proctor
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Paul A McCarron
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Nigel G Ternan
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Northern Ireland, UK
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Honjo H, Iwasaki K, Soma Y, Tsuruno K, Hamada H, Hanai T. Synthetic microbial consortium with specific roles designated by genetic circuits for cooperative chemical production. Metab Eng 2019; 55:268-275. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2019.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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23
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Chane A, Barbey C, Robert M, Merieau A, Konto-Ghiorghi Y, Beury-Cirou A, Feuilloley M, Pátek M, Gobert V, Latour X. Biocontrol of Soft Rot: Confocal Microscopy Highlights Virulent Pectobacterial Communication and Its Jamming by Rhodococcal Quorum-Quenching. MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS : MPMI 2019; 32:802-812. [PMID: 30645157 DOI: 10.1094/mpmi-11-18-0314-r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Confocal laser-scanning microscopy was chosen to observe the colonization and damage caused by the soft rot Pectobacterium atrosepticum and the protection mediated by the biocontrol agent Rhodococcus erythropolis. We developed dual-color reporter strains suited for monitoring quorum-sensing and quorum-quenching activities leading to maceration or biocontrol, respectively. A constitutively expressed cyan or red fluorescent protein served as a cell tag for plant colonization, while an inducible expression reporter system based on the green fluorescent protein gene enabled the simultaneous recording of signaling molecule production, detection, or degradation. The dual-colored pathogen and biocontrol strains were used to coinoculate potato tubers. At cellular quorum, images revealed a strong pectobacterial quorum-sensing activity, especially at the plant cell walls, as well as a concomitant rhodococcal quorum-quenching response, at both the single-cell and microcolony levels. The generated biosensors appear to be promising and complementary tools useful for molecular and cellular studies of bacterial communication and interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chane
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
| | - Corinne Barbey
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
- 2 Seeds Innovation Protection Research and Environment, Route de la petite chaussée, 76110 Bretteville du Grand-Caux and Rue des Champs Potez, 62217 Achicourt, France
| | - Magalie Robert
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
| | - Yoan Konto-Ghiorghi
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
| | - Amélie Beury-Cirou
- 2 Seeds Innovation Protection Research and Environment, Route de la petite chaussée, 76110 Bretteville du Grand-Caux and Rue des Champs Potez, 62217 Achicourt, France
- 3 French Federation of seed potato growers (FN3PT/RD3PT), 43-45 rue de Naples, 75008 Paris, France
| | - Marc Feuilloley
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
| | - Miroslav Pátek
- 4 Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, v.v.i. Vídeňská 1083, CZ-14220 Praha 4, Czech Republic
| | - Virginie Gobert
- 2 Seeds Innovation Protection Research and Environment, Route de la petite chaussée, 76110 Bretteville du Grand-Caux and Rue des Champs Potez, 62217 Achicourt, France
- 3 French Federation of seed potato growers (FN3PT/RD3PT), 43-45 rue de Naples, 75008 Paris, France
| | - Xavier Latour
- 1 Laboratoire de Microbiologie Signaux et Microenvironnement (LMSM EA 4312)-Normandie Université-LMSM, 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France and Structure Fédérative de Recherche Normandie Végétale 4277
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Girard L. Quorum sensing in Vibrio spp.: the complexity of multiple signalling molecules in marine and aquatic environments. Crit Rev Microbiol 2019; 45:451-471. [PMID: 31241379 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2019.1624499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a density-dependent mechanism enabling bacteria to coordinate their actions via the release of small diffusible molecules named autoinducers (AIs). Vibrio spp. are able to adapt to changing environmental conditions by using a wide range of physiological mechanisms and many species pose a threat for human health and diverse marine and estuarine ecosystems worldwide. Cell-to-cell communication controls many of their vital functions such as niche colonization, survival strategies, or virulence. In this review, I summarize (1) the different known QS pathways (2) the diversity of AIs as well as their biological functions, and (3) the QS-mediated interactions between Vibrio and other organisms. However, the current knowledge is limited to a few pathogenic or bioluminescent species and in order to provide a genus-wide view an inventory of QS genes among 87 Vibrio species has been made. The large diversity of signal molecules and their differential effects on a particular physiological function suggest that the complexity of multiple signalling systems within bacterial communities is far from being fully understood. I question here the real level of specificity of such communication in the environment and discuss the different perspectives in order to better apprehend QS in natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Girard
- Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics , KU Leuven , Belgium
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Smith S, Dalchau N. Model reduction enables Turing instability analysis of large reaction-diffusion models. J R Soc Interface 2019. [PMID: 29540540 PMCID: PMC5908523 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthesizing a genetic network which generates stable Turing patterns is one of the great challenges of synthetic biology, but a significant obstacle is the disconnect between the mathematical theory and the biological reality. Current mathematical understanding of patterning is typically restricted to systems of two or three chemical species, for which equations are tractable. However, when models seek to combine descriptions of intercellular signal diffusion and intracellular biochemistry, plausible genetic networks can consist of dozens of interacting species. In this paper, we suggest a method for reducing large biochemical systems that relies on removing the non-diffusible species, leaving only the diffusibles in the model. Such model reduction enables analysis to be conducted on a smaller number of differential equations. We provide conditions to guarantee that the full system forms patterns if the reduced system does, and vice versa. We confirm our technique with three examples: the Brusselator, an example proposed by Turing, and a biochemically plausible patterning system consisting of 17 species. These examples show that our method significantly simplifies the study of pattern formation in large systems where several species can be considered immobile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Smith
- Biological Computation group, Microsoft Research, Cambridge CB1 2FB, UK.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Neil Dalchau
- Biological Computation group, Microsoft Research, Cambridge CB1 2FB, UK
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Chai L, Ding C, Li J, Yang Z, Shi Y. Multi-omics response of Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB to hexavalent chromium. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:63-73. [PMID: 30878863 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The release of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] into water bodies poses a major threat to the environment and human health. However, studies of the biological response to Cr(VI) are limited. In this study, a toxic bacterial mechanism of Cr(VI) was investigated using Pannonibacter phragmitetus BB (hereafter BB), which was isolated from chromate slag. The maximum Cr(VI) concentrations with respect to the resistance and reduction by BB are 4000 mg L-1 and 2500 mg L-1, respectively. In the BB genome, more genes responsible for Cr(VI) resistance and reduction are observed compared with other P. phragmitetus strains. A total of 361 proteins were upregulated to respond to Cr(VI) exposure, including enzymes for Cr(VI) uptake, intracellular reduction, ROS detoxification, DNA repair, and Cr(VI) efflux and proteins associated with novel mechanisms involving extracellular reduction mediated by electron transfer, quorum sensing, and chemotaxis. Based on metabolomic analysis, 174 metabolites were identified. Most of the upregulated metabolites are involved in amino acid, glucose, lipid, and energy metabolisms. The results show that Cr(VI) induces metabolite production, while metabolites promote Cr(VI) reduction. Overall, multi-enzyme expression and metabolite production by BB contribute to its high ability to resist/reduce Cr(VI). This study provides details supporting the theory of Cr(VI) reduction and a theoretical basis for the efficient bioremoval of Cr(VI) from the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyuan Chai
- Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metals Pollution Control and Treatment, 410083, Changsha, China
| | - Chunlian Ding
- Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, China
| | - Zhihui Yang
- Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metals Pollution Control and Treatment, 410083, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Shi
- Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, 410083, Changsha, China; National Engineering Research Center for Heavy Metals Pollution Control and Treatment, 410083, Changsha, China.
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Hayashi K, Kai K, Mori Y, Ishikawa S, Ujita Y, Ohnishi K, Kiba A, Hikichi Y. Contribution of a lectin, LecM, to the quorum sensing signalling pathway of Ralstonia solanacearum strain OE1-1. MOLECULAR PLANT PATHOLOGY 2019; 20:334-345. [PMID: 30312504 PMCID: PMC6637872 DOI: 10.1111/mpp.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The soil-borne bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum invades the roots and colonizes the intercellular spaces and then the xylem. The expression of lecM, encoding a lectin LecM, is induced by an OmpR family response regulator HrpG in R. solanacearum strain OE1-1. LecM contributes to the attachment of strain OE1-1 to the host cells of intercellular spaces. OE1-1 produces methyl 3-hydroxymyristate (3-OH MAME) through a methyltransferase (PhcB) and extracellularly secretes the chemical as a quorum sensing (QS) signal, which activates QS. The expression of lecM is also induced by the PhcA virulence regulator functioning through QS, and the resulting LecM is implicated in the QS-dependent production of major exopolysaccharide EPS I and the aggregation of OE1-1 cells. To investigate the function of LecM in QS, we analysed the transcriptome of R. solanacearum strains generated by RNA sequencing technology. In the lecM mutant, the expression of positively QS-regulated genes and negatively QS-regulated genes was down-regulated (by >90%) and up-regulated (by ~60%), respectively. However, phcB and phcA in the lecM mutant were expressed at levels similar to those in strain OE1-1. The lecM mutant produced significantly less ralfuranone and exhibited a significantly greater swimming motility, which were positively and negatively regulated by QS, respectively. In addition, the extracellular 3-OH MAME content of the lecM mutant was significantly lower than that of OE1-1. The application of 3-OH MAME more strongly increased EPS I production in the phcB-deleted mutant and strain OE1-1 than in the lecM mutant. Thus, the QS-dependent production of LecM contributes to the QS signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazusa Hayashi
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyKochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
| | - Kenji Kai
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental SciencesOsaka Prefecture UniversitySakaiOsaka599‐8531Japan
| | - Yuka Mori
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyKochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
| | - Shiho Ishikawa
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyKochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
| | - Yumeto Ujita
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental SciencesOsaka Prefecture UniversitySakaiOsaka599‐8531Japan
| | - Kouhei Ohnishi
- Research Institute of Molecular Genetics, Kochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
| | - Akinori Kiba
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyKochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
| | - Yasufumi Hikichi
- Laboratory of Plant Pathology and BiotechnologyKochi UniversityNankokuKochi783‐8502Japan
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Characterization of LuxI/LuxR and their regulation involved in biofilm formation and stress resistance in fish spoilers Pseudomonas fluorescens. Int J Food Microbiol 2018; 297:60-71. [PMID: 30884254 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2018.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is crucial for adaption and development of foodborne bacteria in diverse environments. Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07 with QS mediated acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) activity was isolated from spoiled large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). In this study AHL-mediated QS system was characterized and their roles in biofilm formation, motility, stress response and spoilage of P. fluorescens were evaluated. A LuxI/LuxR homolog consisting of a conserved AHL synthase gene (luxI) and a transcriptional regulator gene (luxR) was identified in the strain. Two in-frame deletion mutants of luxI and luxR, ∆luxI and ∆luxR, were constructed to explore their QS signaling function in P. fluorescens. Three types of AHLs were detected in PF07 culture by LC-MS/MS, and N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) was a major signal molecule. The C4-HSL activities was almost abolished in ∆luxI, and decreased greatly in ∆luxR. Compared with wild type (WT) strain, both ∆luxI and ∆luxR showed the significant decrease of biofilm biomass and expolysaccharide production, resulting in thinner and incompact biofilm structure, but promoted swimming motility. The resistance of P. fluorescens to H2O2, heat, NaCl and crystal violet apparently declined in two mutants compared to WT. Spoilage factors, siderophore and protease, apparently attenuated due to deletion of luxI or luxR gene, while the growth and TVB-N production did not differ. Furthermore, the changes of the biofilm formation, motility and protease in ∆luxI strain were partially restored by the exogenous C4-HSL. In agreement with the effect of two mutants on various phenotypes, the transcriptions of alg, lapA, flgA, rpoS, and aprX were significantly down-regulated, and flgA was up-regulated in ∆luxI and ∆luxR. Therefore, the present study highlighted that the co-operation of LuxI/LuxR homolog was an important QS regulator in biofilm formation, motility and spoilage potential, and hinted its positive regulation of stress resistance with RpoS in P. fluorescens.
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Vadakkan K, Choudhury AA, Gunasekaran R, Hemapriya J, Vijayanand S. Quorum sensing intervened bacterial signaling: Pursuit of its cognizance and repression. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2018; 16:239-252. [PMID: 30733731 PMCID: PMC6353778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgeb.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Bacteria communicate within a system by means of a density dependent mechanism known as quorum sensing which regulate the metabolic and behavioral activities of a bacterial community. This sort of interaction occurs through a dialect of chemical signals called as autoinducers synthesized by bacteria. Bacterial quorum sensing occurs through various complex pathways depending upon specious diversity. Therefore the cognizance of quorum sensing mechanism will enable the regulation and thereby constrain bacterial communication. Inhibition strategies of quorum sensing are collectively called as quorum quenching; through which bacteria are incapacitated of its interaction with each other. Many virulence mechanism such as sporulation, biofilm formation, toxin production can be blocked by quorum quenching. Usually quorum quenching mechanisms can be broadly classified into enzymatic methods and non-enzymatic methods. Substantial understanding of bacterial communication and its inhibition enhances the development of novel antibacterial therapeutic drugs. In this review we have discussed the types and mechanisms of quorum sensing and various methods to inhibit and regulate density dependent bacterial communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayeen Vadakkan
- Bioresource Technology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, TN 632115, India
| | - Abbas Alam Choudhury
- Bioresource Technology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, TN 632115, India
| | - Ramya Gunasekaran
- Bioresource Technology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, TN 632115, India
| | | | - Selvaraj Vijayanand
- Bioresource Technology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, TN 632115, India
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Shaaban M, Elgaml A, Habib ESE. Biotechnological applications of quorum sensing inhibition as novel therapeutic strategies for multidrug resistant pathogens. Microb Pathog 2018; 127:138-143. [PMID: 30503958 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 08/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
High incidence of antibiotic resistance among bacterial clinical isolates necessitates the discovery of new targets for inhibition of microbial pathogenicity, without stimulation of microbial resistance. This could be achieved by targeting virulence determinants, which cause host damage and disease. Many pathogenic bacteria elaborate signaling molecules for cellular communication. This signaling system is named quorum sensing system (QS), and it is contingent on the bacterial population density and mediated by signal molecules called pheromones or autoinducers (AIs). Bacteria utilize QS to regulate activities and behaviors including competence, conjugation, symbiosis, virulence, motility, sporulation, antibiotic production, and biofilm formation. Hence, targeting bacterial communicating signals and suppression of QS exhibit a fundamental approach for competing microbial communication. In this review, we illustrate the common up to date approaches to utilize QS circuits in pathogenic bacteria, including Vibrio fischeri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Acinetobacter baumannii, as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Shaaban
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, 30078, Saudi Arabia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt
| | - Abdelaziz Elgaml
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Horus University, New Damietta, 34517, Egypt
| | - El-Sayed E Habib
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Munawwarah, 30078, Saudi Arabia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, 35516, Egypt.
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Chen X, Zhang L, Zhang M, Liu H, Lu P, Lin K. Quorum sensing inhibitors: a patent review (2014-2018). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2018; 28:849-865. [PMID: 30366511 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2018.1541174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell density-dependent phenomenon in which specific pathways are activated after autoinducers (AIs) outside the microorganism reach a threshold concentration. QS creates a positive feedback loop that induces a cascade of gene expression and causes biofilm formation, virulence and sporulation. QS signals are diverse, acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL), AI peptide (AIP) and AI-2 are three major categories of QS signals. QS inhibitors (QSIs) can disrupt or prevent the formation of biofilm and reduce virulence while exerting less selective pressure on the bacteria, suggesting that QSIs are potential alternatives for antibiotics. Areas covered: This review summarized the pertinent patents on QS inhibition available from 2014 to 2018. The authors analyze these patents and provided an overview of them and their potential applications. Expert opinion: The main strategy for QS inhibition is to use the analogues of various QS signals to block downstream signal transducers. The inactivation of signal molecules or the stimulation of the immune response is also attractive strategies to inhibit QS. However, additional clinical trials are needed to assess their efficacy in mammals. In sum, QS inhibition can reduce the virulence of bacteria without affecting their growth or killing them and the reduced pressure may minimize the increasingly resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Likun Zhang
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Mingxiang Zhang
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Huayu Liu
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Panrui Lu
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Kejiang Lin
- a School of Pharmacy , China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
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Liao L, Schaefer AL, Coutinho BG, Brown PJB, Greenberg EP. An aryl-homoserine lactone quorum-sensing signal produced by a dimorphic prosthecate bacterium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:7587-7592. [PMID: 29967162 PMCID: PMC6055194 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1808351115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Many species of Proteobacteria produce acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) compounds as quorum-sensing (QS) signals for cell density-dependent gene regulation. Most known AHL synthases, LuxI-type enzymes, produce fatty AHLs, and the fatty acid moiety is derived from an acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) intermediate in fatty acid biosynthesis. Recently, a class of LuxI homologs has been shown to use CoA-linked aromatic or amino acid substrates for AHL synthesis. By using an informatics approach, we found the CoA class of LuxI homologs exists primarily in α-Proteobacteria. The genome of Prosthecomicrobium hirschii, a dimorphic prosthecate bacterium, possesses a luxI-like AHL synthase gene that we predicted to encode a CoA-utilizing enzyme. We show the P. hirschii LuxI homolog catalyzes synthesis of phenylacetyl-homoserine lactone (PA-HSL). Our experiments show P. hirschii obtains phenylacetate from its environment and uses a CoA ligase to produce the phenylacetyl-CoA substrate for the LuxI homolog. By using an AHL degrading enzyme, we showed that PA-HSL controls aggregation, biofilm formation, and pigment production in P. hirschii These findings advance a limited understanding of the CoA-dependent AHL synthases. We describe how to identify putative members of the class, we describe a signal synthesized by using an environmental aromatic acid, and we identify phenotypes controlled by the aryl-HSL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisheng Liao
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Amy L Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Bruna G Coutinho
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Pamela J B Brown
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
| | - E Peter Greenberg
- Integrative Microbiology Research Centre, South China Agricultural University, 510642 Guangzhou, People's Republic of China;
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
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13-Docosenamide release by bacteria in response to glucose during growth-fluorescein quenching and clinical application. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:6673-6685. [PMID: 29860593 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9127-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2018] [Revised: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Our investigations on extracellular biochemical events to find readily and sensitively detectable/measurable molecular targets for developing easier, simpler, and quicker diagnostic methods and tools for bacterial pathogens led to the observation that bacteria grown in the presence of glucose produced a compound capable of quenching fluorescein. Under the experimental conditions, among various sugars, glucose was found to induce maximum amount of the quencher when Escherichia coli was grown in presence of 50 mM glucose in rarified LB. The release of quencher closely following bacterial growth significantly from fourth hour after moderate inoculation. This fluorescein-quencher was purified using TLC and HPLC and identified using GC-MS as 13-docosenamide or erucamide, originally known as plant lipid, is a neuroactive compound in human and animals. Fluorescence and UV-absorption spectral analysis showed that the compound formed stable adduct with fluorescein in the ground state. Commercial 13-docosonamide enabled quantitation of the compound produced in micromolar quantities during glucose utilization from the medium. Twenty-seven different commonly encountered bacteria, pathogens or otherwise, could produce the quencher. A simple microplate-based growth monitoring method was developed exploiting quenching as an easily and readily measurable signal, either using a reader or an imager. While 13-docosenamide release by bacteria may be relevant in host-bacteria interactions, especially when growing under conditions that provide glucose, the new approach with inexpensive reagents can provide a new antibiogram technique.
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Colino CI, Millán CG, Lanao JM. Nanoparticles for Signaling in Biodiagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1627. [PMID: 29857492 PMCID: PMC6032068 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19061627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in nanoparticle-based systems constitute a promising research area with important implications for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially against multidrug resistant strains and bacterial biofilms. Nanosystems may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of viral and fungal infections. Commercial diagnostic tests based on nanosystems are currently available. Different methodologies based on nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed to detect specific agents or to distinguish between Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. Also, biosensors based on nanoparticles have been applied in viral detection to improve available analytical techniques. Several point-of-care (POC) assays have been proposed that can offer results faster, easier and at lower cost than conventional techniques and can even be used in remote regions for viral diagnosis. Nanoparticles functionalized with specific molecules may modulate pharmacokinetic targeting recognition and increase anti-infective efficacy. Quorum sensing is a stimuli-response chemical communication process correlated with population density that bacteria use to regulate biofilm formation. Disabling it is an emerging approach for combating its pathogenicity. Natural or synthetic inhibitors may act as antibiofilm agents and be useful for treating multi-drug resistant bacteria. Nanostructured materials that interfere with signal molecules involved in biofilm growth have been developed for the control of infections associated with biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara I Colino
- Area of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
- The Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Carmen Gutiérrez Millán
- Area of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
- The Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
| | - José M Lanao
- Area of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
- The Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain.
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Abstract
Many bacteria use a cell-cell communication system called quorum sensing to coordinate population density-dependent changes in behavior. Quorum sensing involves production of and response to diffusible or secreted signals, which can vary substantially across different types of bacteria. In many species, quorum sensing modulates virulence functions and is important for pathogenesis. Over the past half-century, there has been a significant accumulation of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms, signal structures, gene regulons, and behavioral responses associated with quorum-sensing systems in diverse bacteria. More recent studies have focused on understanding quorum sensing in the context of bacterial sociality. Studies of the role of quorum sensing in cooperative and competitive microbial interactions have revealed how quorum sensing coordinates interactions both within a species and between species. Such studies of quorum sensing as a social behavior have relied on the development of "synthetic ecological" models that use nonclonal bacterial populations. In this review, we discuss some of these models and recent advances in understanding how microbes might interact with one another using quorum sensing. The knowledge gained from these lines of investigation has the potential to guide studies of microbial sociality in natural settings and the design of new medicines and therapies to treat bacterial infections.
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Liu J, Fu K, Wu C, Qin K, Li F, Zhou L. "In-Group" Communication in Marine Vibrio: A Review of N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones-Driven Quorum Sensing. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:139. [PMID: 29868495 PMCID: PMC5952220 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones (N-AHLs) are an important group of small quorum-sensing molecules generated and released into the surroundings by Gram-negative bacteria. N-AHLs play a crucial role in various infection-related biological processes of marine Vibrio species, including survival, colonization, invasion, and pathogenesis. With the increasing problem of antibiotic abuse and subsequently the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, studies on AHLs are therefore expected to bring potential new breakthroughs for the prevention and treatment of Vibrio infections. This article starts from AHLs generation in marine Vibrio, and then discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and trends in the future development of various detection methods for AHLs characterization. In addition to a detailed classification of the various marine Vibrio-derived AHL types that have been reported over the years, the regulatory mechanisms of AHLs and their roles in marine Vibrio biofilms, pathogenicity and interaction with host cells are also highlighted. Intervention measures for AHLs in different stages are systematically reviewed, and the prospects of their future development and application are examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Liu
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Kaifei Fu
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Chenglin Wu
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Kewei Qin
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Li
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Lijun Zhou
- Central Laboratory, Navy General Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
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37
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Complete genome analysis of Gluconacetobacter xylinus CGMCC 2955 for elucidating bacterial cellulose biosynthesis and metabolic regulation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:6266. [PMID: 29674724 PMCID: PMC5908849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24559-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Complete genome sequence of Gluconacetobacter xylinus CGMCC 2955 for fine control of bacterial cellulose (BC) synthesis is presented here. The genome, at 3,563,314 bp, was found to contain 3,193 predicted genes without gaps. There are four BC synthase operons (bcs), among which only bcsI is structurally complete, comprising bcsA, bcsB, bcsC, and bcsD. Genes encoding key enzymes in glycolytic, pentose phosphate, and BC biosynthetic pathways and in the tricarboxylic acid cycle were identified. G. xylinus CGMCC 2955 has a complete glycolytic pathway because sequence data analysis revealed that this strain possesses a phosphofructokinase (pfk)-encoding gene, which is absent in most BC-producing strains. Furthermore, combined with our previous results, the data on metabolism of various carbon sources (monosaccharide, ethanol, and acetate) and their regulatory mechanism of action on BC production were explained. Regulation of BC synthase (Bcs) is another effective method for precise control of BC biosynthesis, and cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) is the key activator of BcsA–BcsB subunit of Bcs. The quorum sensing (QS) system was found to positively regulate phosphodiesterase, which decomposed c-di-GMP. Thus, in this study, we demonstrated the presence of QS in G. xylinus CGMCC 2955 and proposed a possible regulatory mechanism of QS action on BC production.
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Logic of two antagonizing intra-species quorum sensing systems in bacteria. Biosystems 2018; 165:88-98. [PMID: 29407383 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Bacteria release signaling molecules into the surrounding environment and sense them when present in their proximity. Using this strategy, a cell estimates the number of neighbors in its surrounding. Upon sensing a critical number of individuals, bacteria coordinate a number of cellular processes. This density-dependent control of gene expression and physiology is called quorum sensing (QS). Quorum sensing controls a wide variety of functions in bacteria, including those related to motility, growth, virulence etc. Quorum sensing has been widely observed in bacteria while the individuals of the same species or different species compete and cooperate each other. Interestingly, many species possess more than one QS system (intra-species) and these QS systems interact each other to perform quorum sensing. Thus, several logical arrangements can be possible based on the interaction among intra-species QS systems - parallel, series, antagonizing, and agonizing. In this work, we perform simulations to understand the logic of interaction between two antagonizing intra-species QS systems. In such an interaction, one QS system gets fully expressed and the other only gets partially expressed. This is found to be dictated by the interplay between autoinducer's diffusivity and antagonizing strength. In addition, we speculate an important role of the intracellular regulators (eg. LuxR) in maintaining the uniform response among the individual cells from the different localities. We also expect the interplay between the autoinducer's diffusivity and distribution of cells in fine tuning the collective response. Interestingly, in a localized niche with a heterogeneous cell distribution, the cells are expected to perform a global quorum sensing via fully expressed QS system and a local quorum sensing via partially expressed QS system.
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Schaefer AL, Harwood CS, Greenberg EP. "Hot Stuff": The Many Uses of a Radiolabel Assay in Detecting Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Quorum-Sensing Signals. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1673:35-47. [PMID: 29130162 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7309-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Many Proteobacteria synthesize acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules for use as signals in cell density-dependent gene regulation known as quorum sensing (QS) and response. AHL detection protocols are essential to QS researchers and several techniques are available, including a 14C-AHL radiolabel assay. This assay is based on the uptake of radiolabeled methionine by living cells and conversion of the radiolabel into S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). The radiolabeled SAM is then incorporated into AHL signal by an AHL synthase enzyme. Here we describe a methodology to perform the AHL radiolabel assay, which is unbiased, relatively fast, and very sensitive compared to other AHL detection protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Schaefer
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | | | - E Peter Greenberg
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Kim SR, Yeon KM. Quorum Sensing as Language of Chemical Signals. FUNDAMENTALS OF QUORUM SENSING, ANALYTICAL METHODS AND APPLICATIONS IN MEMBRANE BIOREACTORS 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.coac.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Nature to the natural rescue: Silencing microbial chats. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 280:86-98. [PMID: 29247642 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Communication is the sole means by which effective networking and co-existence is accomplished amongst living beings. Microbes have their own chit-chats. Science has overheard these microbial gossips and have concluded that these aren't just informal communications, but carefully coordinated signals that plan their effective strategies. Tracking one such signal molecule, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL), led to a fundamental understanding to microbial quorum sensing (QS). Furtherance of research sought for ways to cut off communication between these virulent forms, so as to hinder their combinatorial attacks through quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs). A clear understanding of the inhibitors of these microbial communication systems is vital to destroy their networking and co-working. The current review, consolidates the solutions for QSIs offered from natural sources against these micro components, that are capable of slaughtering even nature's most fit entity-man. The applications of effective out sourcing of this QSI technologies and the need for development are discussed. The importance of silencing this microbial chatter to various aspects of human life and their implications are discussed and elaborated.
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Side DD, Nassisi V, Pennetta C, Alifano P, Di Salvo M, Talà A, Chechkin A, Seno F, Trovato A. Bacterial bioluminescence onset and quenching: a dynamical model for a quorum sensing-mediated property. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:171586. [PMID: 29308273 PMCID: PMC5750040 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.171586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We present an effective dynamical model for the onset of bacterial bioluminescence, one of the most studied quorum sensing-mediated traits. Our model is built upon simple equations that describe the growth of the bacterial colony, the production and accumulation of autoinducer signal molecules, their sensing within bacterial cells, and the ensuing quorum activation mechanism that triggers bioluminescent emission. The model is directly tested to quantitatively reproduce the experimental distributions of photon emission times, previously measured for bacterial colonies of Vibrio jasicida, a luminescent bacterium belonging to the Harveyi clade, growing in a highly drying environment. A distinctive and novel feature of the proposed model is bioluminescence 'quenching' after a given time elapsed from activation. Using an advanced fitting procedure based on the simulated annealing algorithm, we are able to infer from the experimental observations the biochemical parameters used in the model. Such parameters are in good agreement with the literature data. As a further result, we find that, at least in our experimental conditions, light emission in bioluminescent bacteria appears to originate from a subtle balance between colony growth and quorum activation due to autoinducers diffusion, with the two phenomena occurring on the same time scale. This finding is consistent with a negative feedback mechanism previously reported for Vibrio harveyi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Delle Side
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica ‘Ennio De Giorgi’, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nassisi
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica ‘Ennio De Giorgi’, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Cecilia Pennetta
- Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica ‘Ennio De Giorgi’, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Lecce, Lecce, Italy
| | - Pietro Alifano
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Marco Di Salvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Adelfia Talà
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche ed Ambientali, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Aleksei Chechkin
- Akhiezer Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kharkov Institute of Physics and Technology, Kharkov 61108, Ukraine
- Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia ‘Galileo Galilei’, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Flavio Seno
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia ‘Galileo Galilei’, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Antonio Trovato
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia ‘Galileo Galilei’, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Padova, Padova, Italy
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Quorum Sensing in Burkholderia pseudomallei and Other Burkholderia species. CURRENT TROPICAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40475-017-0127-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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An Update on the Sociomicrobiology of Quorum Sensing in Gram-Negative Biofilm Development. Pathogens 2017; 6:pathogens6040051. [PMID: 29065453 PMCID: PMC5750575 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens6040051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria are social creatures that are able to interact and coordinate behaviors with each other in a multitude of ways. The study of such group behaviors in microbes was coined “sociomicrobiology” in 2005. Two such group behaviors in bacteria are quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation. At a very basic level, QS is the ability to sense bacterial density via cell-to-cell signaling using self-produced signals called autoinducers, and biofilms are aggregates of cells that are attached to one another via a self-produced, extracellular matrix. Since cells in biofilm aggregates are in close proximity, biofilms represent an ecologically relevant environment for QS. While QS is known to affect biofilm formation in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive species, in this review, we will focus exclusively on Gram-negative bacteria, with an emphasis on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We will begin by describing QS systems in P. aeruginosa and how they affect P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. We then expand our review to other Gram-negative bacteria and conclude with interesting questions with regard to the effect of biofilms on QS.
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Boada Y, Vignoni A, Picó J. Engineered Control of Genetic Variability Reveals Interplay among Quorum Sensing, Feedback Regulation, and Biochemical Noise. ACS Synth Biol 2017; 6:1903-1912. [PMID: 28581725 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.7b00087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Stochastic fluctuations in gene expression trigger both beneficial and harmful consequences for cell behavior. Therefore, achieving a desired mean protein expression level while minimizing noise is of interest in many applications, including robust protein production systems in industrial biotechnology. Here, we consider a synthetic gene circuit combining intracellular negative feedback and cell-to-cell communication based on quorum sensing. Accounting for both intrinsic and extrinsic noise, stochastic simulations allow us to analyze the capability of the circuit to reduce noise strength as a function of its parameters. We obtain mean expression levels and noise strengths for all species under different scenarios, showing good agreement with system-wide available experimental data of protein abundance and noise in Escherichia coli. Our in silico experiments, validated by preliminary in vivo results, reveal significant noise attenuation in gene expression through the interplay between quorum sensing and negative feedback and highlight the differential role that they play in regard to intrinsic and extrinsic noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Boada
- Institut
d’Automàtica i Informàtica Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Vignoni
- Center
for Systems Biology Dresden, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhaurstr. 108, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jesús Picó
- Institut
d’Automàtica i Informàtica Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain
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Quorum sensing inhibitors: can endophytes be prospective sources? Arch Microbiol 2017; 200:355-369. [PMID: 29026943 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-017-1437-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 09/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Endophytes are microbes which reside inside the plant tissues asymptomatically or causing pathogenicity to the host plant for a brief period. Owing to their presence in a specialized niche, endophytes are capable of synthesizing diverse types of bioactive molecules. Continuous development of resistance mechanism by pathogens to the currently available health treatments and pharmaceuticals has led researchers to explore new therapeutic agents. Quorum sensing has a role in the development of microbial pathogenic traits including biofilm formation. Utilization of quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors in antivirulence approach against pathogenesis is one of the innovative strategies. Endophytic microbes provide a plethora of such required bioactive molecules. This review summarizes the bioprospecting of endophytic microbes for production of novel QS inhibitors. At the outset, an overview is presented about the QS and QS inhibition followed by a summary on the endophytes as a treasure trove of bioactive metabolites, particularly the QS inhibitors. Next, we have outlined screening, purification, production, and application of QS inhibitors starting from the isolation of endophytic microbes. There is huge prospect for endophytes in the domain of human healthcare and food industry, provided that we develop a comprehensive understanding of the biology of endophyte and its ecosystem.
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Molecular basis for the substrate specificity of quorum signal synthases. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:9092-9097. [PMID: 28784791 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1705400114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In several Proteobacteria, LuxI-type enzymes catalyze the biosynthesis of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL) signals using S-adenosyl-l-methionine and either cellular acyl carrier protein (ACP)-coupled fatty acids or CoA-aryl/acyl moieties as progenitors. Little is known about the molecular mechanism of signal biosynthesis, the basis for substrate specificity, or the rationale for donor specificity for any LuxI member. Here, we present several cocrystal structures of BjaI, a CoA-dependent LuxI homolog that represent views of enzyme complexes that exist along the reaction coordinate of signal synthesis. Complementary biophysical, structure-function, and kinetic analysis define the features that facilitate the unusual acyl conjugation with S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). We also identify the determinant that establishes specificity for the acyl donor and identify residues that are critical for acyl/aryl specificity. These results highlight how a prevalent scaffold has evolved to catalyze quorum signal synthesis and provide a framework for the design of small-molecule antagonists of quorum signaling.
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Tan KH, How KY, Tan JY, Yin WF, Chan KG. Cloning and Characterization of the Autoinducer Synthase Gene from Lipid-Degrading Bacterium Cedecea neteri. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:72. [PMID: 28197135 PMCID: PMC5281573 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The process of intercellular communication among bacteria, termed quorum sensing (QS), is mediated by small diffusible molecules known as the autoinducers. QS allows the population to react to the change of cell density in unison, in processes such as biofilm formation, plasmid conjugation, virulence, motility and root nodulation. In Gram-negative proteobacteria, N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) is the common "language" to coordinate gene expression. This signaling molecule is usually synthesized by LuxI-type proteins. We have previously discovered that a rare bacterium, Cedecea neteri, exhibits AHL-type QS activity. With information generated from genome sequencing, we have identified the luxIR gene pair responsible for AHL-type QS and named it cneIR. In this study, we have cloned and expressed the 636 bp luxI homolog in an Escherichia coli host for further characterization. Our findings show that E. coli harboring cneI produced the same AHL profile as the wild type C. neteri, with the synthesis of AHL known as N-butyryl-homoserine lactone. This 25 kDa LuxI homolog shares high similarity with other AHL synthases from closely related species. This work is the first documentation of molecular cloning and characterization of luxI homolog from C. neteri.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kian-Hin Tan
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kah-Yan How
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jia-Yi Tan
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wai-Fong Yin
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Kok-Gan Chan
- Division of Genetic and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Xayarath B, Freitag NE. When being alone is enough: noncanonical functions of canonical bacterial quorum-sensing systems. Future Microbiol 2016; 11:1447-1459. [PMID: 27750441 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A number of bacterial pathogens are capable of detecting the presence of other bacteria located within their surrounding niche through a process of bacterial signaling and cell-to-cell communication commonly referred to as quorum sensing (QS). QS systems are commonly now described in the context of collective behaviors exhibited by groups of bacteria coordinating diverse arrays of physiological functions to enhance survival of the community. However, QS systems have also been implicated in a variety of processes distinct from the measure of bacterial cell density. This review will highlight noncanonical adaptations of canonical QS systems that have evolved to enable bacteria to detect nonself individuals within a population or to detect occupation of confined spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bobbi Xayarath
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612-7344, USA
| | - Nancy E Freitag
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612-7344, USA
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Singh BN, Prateeksha, Upreti DK, Singh BR, Defoirdt T, Gupta VK, De Souza AO, Singh HB, Barreira JCM, Ferreira ICFR, Vahabi K. Bactericidal, quorum quenching and anti-biofilm nanofactories: a new niche for nanotechnologists. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2016; 37:525-540. [PMID: 27684212 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2016.1199010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Despite several conventional potent antibacterial therapies, bacterial infections pose a significant threat to human health because they are emerging as the leading cause of death worldwide. Due to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, there is a pressing demand to discover novel approaches for developing more effective therapies to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial strains and biofilm-associated infections. Therefore, attention has been especially devoted to a new and emerging branch of science "nanotechnology" to design non-conventional antimicrobial chemotherapies. A range of nanomaterials and nano-sized carriers for conventional antimicrobial agents have fully justified their potential to combat bacterial diseases by reducing cell viability, by attenuating quorum sensing, and by inhibiting/or eradicating biofilms. This communication summarizes emerging nano-antimicrobial therapies in treating bacterial infections, particularly using antibacterial, quorum quenching, and anti-biofilm nanomaterials as new approaches to tackle the current challenges in combating infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahma N Singh
- a Pharmacognosy & Ethnopharmacology Division , CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute , Lucknow , India
| | - Prateeksha
- a Pharmacognosy & Ethnopharmacology Division , CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute , Lucknow , India
| | - Dalip K Upreti
- b Lichenology laboratory , Plant Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute , Lucknow , Uttar Pradesh , India
| | - Braj Raj Singh
- c TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre, TERI Gram, The Energy and Resources Institute, Gurgaon , Haryana , India.,d Centre of Excellence in Materials Science (Nanomaterials), Z. H. College of Engineering and Technology , Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh , Uttar Pradesh , India
| | - Tom Defoirdt
- d Centre of Excellence in Materials Science (Nanomaterials), Z. H. College of Engineering and Technology , Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh , Uttar Pradesh , India.,e Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference Center , Ghent University , Gent , Belgium
| | - Vijai K Gupta
- f Molecular Glyco-biotechnology Group, Discipline of Biochemistry , School of Natural Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway , Galway , Ireland
| | | | - Harikesh Bahadur Singh
- h Mycology & Plant Pathology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University , Varanasi , Uttar Pardesh , India
| | - João C M Barreira
- i Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), ESA, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança , Campus de Santa Apolónia , Bragança , Portugal
| | - Isabel C F R Ferreira
- i Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), ESA, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança , Campus de Santa Apolónia , Bragança , Portugal
| | - Khabat Vahabi
- j Biologisch-Pharmazeutische Fakultät , Institut für Allgemeine Botanik und Pflanzenphysiologie, Friedrich-Schiller Universität Jena , Jena , Germany
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