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Lopez Marin MA, Strejcek M, Uhlik O. Joining the bacterial conversation: increasing the cultivation efficiency of soil bacteria with acyl-homoserine lactones and cAMP. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0186023. [PMID: 37787516 PMCID: PMC10715134 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01860-23] [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: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Microorganisms are a repository of interesting metabolites and functions. Therefore, accessing them is an important exercise for advancing not only basic questions about their physiology but also to advance technological applications. In this sense, increasing the culturability of environmental microorganisms remains an important endeavor for modern microbiology. Because microorganisms do not live in isolation in their environments, molecules can be added to the cultivation strategies to "inform them" that they are present in growth-permissive environmental conditions. Signaling molecules such as acyl-homoserine lactones and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate belong to the plethora of molecules used by bacteria to communicate with each other in a phenomenon called quorum sensing. Therefore, including quorum sensing molecules can be an incentive for microorganisms, specifically soil bacteria, to increase their numbers on solid media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco A. Lopez Marin
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Water Technology and Environmental Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michal Strejcek
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Uhlik
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology, Prague, Czech Republic
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Priya PS, Boopathi S, Murugan R, Haridevamuthu B, Arshad A, Arockiaraj J. Quorum sensing signals: Aquaculture risk factor. REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE 2023; 15:1294-1310. [DOI: 10.1111/raq.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
AbstractBacteria produce several virulence factors and cause massive mortality in fish and crustaceans. Abundant quorum sensing (QS) signals and high cell density are essentially required for the production of such virulence factors. Although several strategies have been developed to control aquatic pathogens through antibiotics and QS inhibition, the impact of pre‐existing QS signals in the aquatic environment has been overlooked. QS signals cause detrimental effects on mammalian cells and induce cell death by interfering with multiple cellular pathways. Moreover, QS signals not only function as a messenger, but also annihilate the functions of the host immune system which implies that QS signals should be designated as a major virulence factor. Despite QS signals' role has been well documented in mammalian cells, their impact on aquatic organisms is still at the budding stage. However, many aquatic organisms produce enzymes that degrade and detoxify such QS signals. In addition, physical and chemical factors also determine the stability of the QS signals in the aqueous environment. The balance between QS signals and existing QS signals degrading factors essentially determines the disease progression in aquatic organisms. In this review, we highlight the impact of QS signals on aquatic organisms and further discussed potential alternative strategies to control disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Snega Priya
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai India
| | - Seenivasan Boopathi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai India
| | - Raghul Murugan
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai India
| | - B. Haridevamuthu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai India
| | - Aziz Arshad
- International Institute of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences (I‐AQUAS) Universiti Putra Malaysia Negeri Sembilan Malaysia
| | - Jesu Arockiaraj
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Science and Humanities SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chennai India
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Tsertou MI, Triga A, Droubogiannis S, Kokkari C, Anasi G, Katharios P. Isolation and characterization of a novel Tenacibaculum species and a corresponding bacteriophage from a Mediterranean fish hatchery: Description of Tenacibaculum larymnensis sp. nov. and Tenacibaculum phage Larrie. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1078669. [PMID: 36925475 PMCID: PMC10013915 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1078669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Tenacibaculum larymnensis sp. nov., a novel species of the Tenacibaculum genus was isolated from a commercial fish hatchery in Greece. The novel species is phylogenetically close to T. discolor and was biochemically and genetically characterized. The genome of T. larymnensis has 3.66 Mbps length, 31.83% GC content and the genomic analysis demonstrated that it harbors a wide enzymatic repertoire suggestive of increased degrading capacity but also several virulence factors including hemolysins, secretion systems, transporters, siderophores, pili and extracellular proteins. Using the novel strain, a virulent bacteriophage designated as Tenacibaculum phage Larrie was isolated and characterized. Larrie is a novel Siphovirus with relatively large genome, 77.5 kbps with 111 ORFs, a GC content of 33.7% and an exclusively lytic lifestyle. The new phage-host system can serve as an efficient model to study microbial interactions in the aquatic environment which contribute to the nutrient cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ioanna Tsertou
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Adriana Triga
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece.,Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stavros Droubogiannis
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece.,Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Engineering, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Constantina Kokkari
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Pantelis Katharios
- Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
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Parga A, Muras A, Otero-Casal P, Arredondo A, Soler-Ollé A, Àlvarez G, Alcaraz LD, Mira A, Blanc V, Otero A. The quorum quenching enzyme Aii20J modifies in vitro periodontal biofilm formation. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1118630. [PMID: 36816581 PMCID: PMC9932050 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1118630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Recent studies have revealed the presence of N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) quorum sensing (QS) signals in the oral environment. Yet, their role in oral biofilm development remains scarcely investigated. The use of quorum quenching (QQ) strategies targeting AHLs has been described as efficient for the control of pathogenic biofilms. Here, we evaluate the use of a highly active AHL-targeting QQ enzyme, Aii20J, to modulate oral biofilm formation in vitro. Methods The effect of the QQ enzyme was studied in in vitro multispecies biofilms generated from oral samples taken from healthy donors and patients with periodontal disease. Subgingival samples were used as inocula, aiming to select members of the microbiota of the periodontal pocket niche in the in vitro biofilms. Biofilm formation abilities and microbial composition were studied upon treating the biofilms with the QQ enzyme Aii20J. Results and Discussion The addition of the enzyme resulted in significant biofilm mass reductions in 30 - 60% of the subgingival-derived biofilms, although standard AHLs could not be found in the supernatants of the cultured biofilms. Changes in biofilm mass were not accompanied by significant alterations of bacterial relative abundance at the genus level. The investigation of 125 oral supragingival metagenomes and a synthetic subgingival metagenome revealed a surprisingly high abundance and broad distribution of homologous of the AHL synthase HdtS and several protein families of AHL receptors, as well as an enormous presence of QQ enzymes, pointing to the existence of an intricate signaling network in oral biofilms that has been so far unreported, and should be further investigated. Together, our findings support the use of Aii20J to modulate polymicrobial biofilm formation without changing the microbiome structure of the biofilm. Results in this study suggest that AHLs or AHL-like molecules affect oral biofilm formation, encouraging the application of QQ strategies for oral health improvement, and reinforcing the importance of personalized approaches to oral biofilm control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Parga
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Andrea Muras
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Paz Otero-Casal
- Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Unit of Oral Health, Santa Comba-Negreira, (CS) SERGAS, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Alexandre Arredondo
- Department of Microbiology, Dentaid Research Center, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - Agnès Soler-Ollé
- Department of Microbiology, Dentaid Research Center, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - Gerard Àlvarez
- Department of Microbiology, Dentaid Research Center, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - Luis D. Alcaraz
- Department of Cellular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Coyoacán, Mexico
| | - Alex Mira
- Department of Genomics and Health, FISABIO Foundation, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vanessa Blanc
- Department of Microbiology, Dentaid Research Center, Cerdanyola Del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ana Otero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, CIBUS-Faculty of Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ana Otero,
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Exploring communication signals inside the microbial community of a Listeria monocytogenes-carrying biofilm contamination site. Int J Food Microbiol 2022; 376:109773. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Reina JC, Pérez P, Llamas I. Quorum Quenching Strains Isolated from the Microbiota of Sea Anemones and Holothurians Attenuate Vibriocorallilyticus Virulence Factors and Reduce Mortality in Artemiasalina. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10030631. [PMID: 35336206 PMCID: PMC8950658 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10030631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Interference with quorum-sensing (QS) intercellular communication systems by the enzymatic disruption of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) in Gram-negative bacteria has become a promising strategy to fight bacterial infections. In this study, seven strains previously isolated from marine invertebrates and selected for their ability to degrade C6 and C10-HSL, were identified as Acinetobacter junii, Ruegeria atlantica, Microbulbifer echini, Reinheimera aquimaris, and Pseudomonas sihuiensis. AHL-degrading activity against a wide range of synthetic AHLs were identified by using an agar well diffusion assay and Agrobacterium tumefaciens NTL4 and Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and VIR07 as biosensors. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analysis indicated that this activity was not due to an AHL lactonase. All the strains degraded Vibrio coralliilyticus AHLs in coculture experiments, while some strains reduced or abolished the production of virulence factors. In vivo assays showed that strains M3-111 and M3-127 reduced this pathogen’s virulence and increased the survival rate of Artemia salina up to 3-fold, indicating its potential use for biotechnological purposes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe AHL-degrading activities in some of these marine species. These findings highlight that the microbiota associated with marine invertebrates constitute an important underexplored source of biological valuable compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Reina
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.C.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Pedro Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.C.R.); (P.P.)
| | - Inmaculada Llamas
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (J.C.R.); (P.P.)
- Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Targeting Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHLs) by the quorum quenching bacterial strains to control biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Saudi J Biol Sci 2022; 29:1673-1682. [PMID: 35280554 PMCID: PMC8913397 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Navigating novel biological strategies to mitigate bacterial biofilms have great worth to combat bacterial infections. Bacterial infections caused by the biofilm forming bacteria are 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than the planktonic bacteria. Among the known bacterial infections, more than 70% involve biofilms which severely complicates treatment options. Biofilm formation is mainly regulated by the Quorum sensing (QS) mechanism. Interference with the QS system by the quorum quenching (QQ) enzyme is a potent strategy to mitigate biofilm. In this study, bacterial strains with QQ activity were identified and their anti-biofilm potential was investigated against the Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens A136-based bioassays were used to confirm the degradation of different Acyl Homoserine Lactones (AHLs) by QQ isolates. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the isolated strains identified them as Bacillus cereus strain QSP03, B. subtilis strain QSP10, Pseudomonas putida strain QQ3 and P. aeruginosa strain QSP01. Biofilm mitigation potential of QQ isolates was tested against MDR P. aeruginosa and the results suggested that 50% biofilm reduction was observed by QQ3 and QSP01 strains, and around 60% reduction by QSP10 and QSP03 bacterial isolates. The presence of AHL degrading enzymes, lactonases and acylases, was confirmed by PCR based screening and sequencing of the already annotated genes aiiA, pvdQ and quiP. Altogether, these results exhibit that QQ bacterial strains or their products could be useful to control biofilm formation in P.aeruginosa.
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El Aichar F, Muras A, Parga A, Otero A, Nateche F. Quorum quenching and anti-biofilm activities of halotolerant Bacillus strains isolated in different environments in Algeria. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 132:1825-1839. [PMID: 34741374 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The current study aimed to screen Bacillus strains with wide-spectrum quorum quenching (QQ) activity against N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs), helpful in controlling virulence traits in Gram-negatives, including biofilm formation and also with anti-biofilm activity against Gram-positives. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 94 halotolerant strains of Bacillus isolated from soil and salt-lake sediment samples in Algeria were examined for the presence of QQ activity against AHLs, the presence of the aiiA gene, encoding an AHL lactonase enzyme typical of Bacillus spp., antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus mutans. Of all strains of Bacillus spp. isolated, 48.9% showed antibacterial activity. In addition, 40% of these isolates showed a positive QQ activity against long-chain AHLs, of which seven strains presented the aiiA gene. Among the species with broad-spectrum QQ activity, the cell extract of Bacillus thuringiensis DZ16 showed antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa PAO1, reducing 60% using the Amsterdam active attachment (AAA) biofilm cultivation model. In addition, the cell extract of B. subtilis DZ17, also presenting a broad-spectrum QQ activity, significantly reduced Strep. mutans ATCC 25175 biofilm formations by 63% and 53% in the xCELLigence and the AAA model, respectively, without affecting growth. Strain DZ17 is of particular interest due to its explicit halophilic nature because it can thrive at salinities in the range of 6%-30%. CONCLUSIONS B. thuringiensis DZ16 and B. subtilis DZ17 strains have interesting antibacterial, QQ, and anti-biofilm activities. The high range of salinities accepted by these strains increases their biotechnological potential. This may open up their use as probiotics, the treatment and prevention of conventional and emerging infectious diseases. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY The use of safe, economical and effective probiotics is limited to control the infections related to multi-resistant bacteria. In our study, we provide two promising agents with QQ, anti-biofilm and antibacterial activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fairouz El Aichar
- Microbiology Team, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LBCM), Faculty of Biological Sciences (FSB), University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria.,Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Andrea Muras
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Parga
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ana Otero
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Farida Nateche
- Microbiology Team, Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology (LBCM), Faculty of Biological Sciences (FSB), University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), Algiers, Algeria
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Bacillus spp. Inhibit Edwardsiella tarda Quorum-Sensing and Fish Infection. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19110602. [PMID: 34822473 PMCID: PMC8623655 DOI: 10.3390/md19110602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The disruption of pathogen communication or quorum-sensing (QS) via quorum-quenching (QQ) molecules has been proposed as a promising strategy to fight bacterial infections. Bacillus spp. have recognizable biotechnology applications, namely as probiotic health-promoting agents or as a source of natural antimicrobial molecules, including QQ molecules. This study characterized the QQ potential of 200 Bacillus spp., isolated from the gut of different aquaculture fish species, to suppress fish pathogens QS. Approximately 12% of the tested Bacillus spp. fish isolates (FI). were able to interfere with synthetic QS molecules. Ten isolates were further selected as producers of extracellular QQ-molecules and their QQ capacity was evaluated against the QS of important aquaculture bacterial pathogens, namely Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp., Photobacterium damselae, Edwardsiela tarda, and Shigella sonnei. The results revealed that A. veronii and E. tarda produce QS molecules that are detectable by the Chr. violaceum biosensor, and which were degraded when exposed to the extracellular extracts of three FI isolates. Moreover, the same isolates, identified as B. subtilis, B. vezelensis, and B. pumilus, significantly reduced the pathogenicity of E. tarda in zebrafish larvae, increasing its survival by 50%. Taken together, these results identified three Bacillus spp. capable of extracellularly quenching aquaculture pathogen communication, and thus become a promising source of bioactive molecules for use in the biocontrol of aquaculture bacterial diseases.
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Use of Quorum Sensing Inhibition Strategies to Control Microfouling. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19020074. [PMID: 33573187 PMCID: PMC7912365 DOI: 10.3390/md19020074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Interfering with the quorum sensing bacterial communication systems has been proposed as a promising strategy to control bacterial biofilm formation, a key process in biofouling development. Appropriate in vitro biofilm-forming bacteria models are needed to establish screening methods for innovative anti-biofilm and anti-microfouling compounds. Four marine strains, two Pseudoalteromonas spp. and two Vibrio spp., were selected and studied with regard to their biofilm-forming capacity and sensitivity to quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors. Biofilm experiments were performed using two biofilm cultivation and quantification methods: the xCELLigence® system, which allows online monitoring of biofilm formation, and the active attachment model, which allows refreshment of the culture medium to obtain a strong biofilm that can be quantified with standard staining methods. Although all selected strains produced acyl-homoserine-lactone (AHL) QS signals, only the P. flavipulchra biofilm, measured with both quantification systems, was significantly reduced with the addition of the AHL-lactonase Aii20J without a significant effect on planktonic growth. Two-species biofilms containing P. flavipulchra were also affected by the addition of Aii20J, indicating an influence on the target bacterial strain as well as an indirect effect on the co-cultured bacterium. The use of xCELLigence® is proposed as a time-saving method to quantify biofilm formation and search for eco-friendly anti-microfouling compounds based on quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) strategies. The results obtained from these two in vitro biofilm formation methods revealed important differences in the response of biosensor bacteria to culture medium and conditions, indicating that several strains should be used simultaneously for screening purposes and the cultivation conditions should be carefully optimized for each specific purpose.
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AhaP, A Quorum Quenching Acylase from Psychrobacter sp. M9-54-1 That Attenuates Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Vibrio coralliilyticus Virulence. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:md19010016. [PMID: 33401388 PMCID: PMC7823738 DOI: 10.3390/md19010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Psychrobacter strain M9-54-1 had been previously isolated from the microbiota of holothurians and shown to degrade quorum sensing (QS) signal molecules C6 and C10-homoserine lactone (HSL), little was known about the gene responsible for this activity. In this study, we determined the whole genome sequence of this strain and found that the full 16S rRNA sequence shares 99.78-99.66% identity with Psychrobacter pulmonis CECT 5989T and P. faecalis ISO-46T. M9-54-1, evaluated using the agar well diffusion assay method, showed high quorum quenching (QQ) activity against a wide range of synthetic N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHLs) at 4, 15, and 28 °C. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry (HPLC-MS) confirmed that QQ activity was due to an AHL-acylase. The gene encoding for QQ activity in strain M9-54-1 was identified from its genome sequence whose gene product was named AhaP. Purified AhaP degraded substituted and unsubstituted AHLs from C4- to C14-HSL. Furthermore, heterologous expression of ahaP in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 reduced the expression of the QS-controlled gene lecA, encoding for a cytotoxic galactophilic lectin and swarming motility protein. Strain M9-54-1 also reduced brine shrimp mortality caused by Vibrio coralliilyticus VibC-Oc-193, showing potential as a biocontrol agent in aquaculture.
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Wynne JW, Thakur KK, Slinger J, Samsing F, Milligan B, Powell JFF, McKinnon A, Nekouei O, New D, Richmond Z, Gardner I, Siah A. Microbiome Profiling Reveals a Microbial Dysbiosis During a Natural Outbreak of Tenacibaculosis (Yellow Mouth) in Atlantic Salmon. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:586387. [PMID: 33193237 PMCID: PMC7642216 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.586387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Tenacibaculosis remains a major health issue for a number of important aquaculture species globally. On the west coast of Canada, yellow mouth (YM) disease is responsible for significant economic loss to the Atlantic salmon industry. While Tenacibaculum maritimum is considered to be the primary agent of clinical YM, the impact of YM on the resident microbial community and their influence on the oral cavity is poorly understood. Using a 16s rRNA amplicon sequencing analysis, the present study demonstrates a significant dysbiosis and a reduction in diversity of the microbial community in the YM affected Atlantic salmon. The microbial community of YM affected fish was dominated by two amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of T. maritimum, although other less abundant ASVs were also found. Interestingly clinically unaffected (healthy) and YM surviving fish also had a high relative abundance of T. maritimum, suggesting that the presence of T. maritimum is not solely responsible for YM. A statistically significant association was observed between the abundance of T. maritimum and increased abundance of Vibrio spp. within fish displaying clinical signs of YM. Findings from our study provide further evidence that YM is a complex multifactorial disease, characterized by a profound dysbiosis of the microbial community which is dominated by distinct ASVs of T. maritimum. Opportunistic taxa, including Vibrio spp., may also play a role in clinical disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krishna K Thakur
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Joel Slinger
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
| | | | | | - James F F Powell
- British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, Campbell River, BC, Canada
| | | | - Omid Nekouei
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Animal Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Zina Richmond
- British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, Campbell River, BC, Canada
| | - Ian Gardner
- Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada
| | - Ahmed Siah
- British Columbia Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, Campbell River, BC, Canada
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13
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Muras A, Otero-Casal P, Blanc V, Otero A. Acyl homoserine lactone-mediated quorum sensing in the oral cavity: a paradigm revisited. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9800. [PMID: 32555242 PMCID: PMC7300016 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66704-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), the quorum sensing (QS) signals produced by Gram-negative bacteria, are currently considered to play a minor role in the development of oral biofilm since their production by oral pathogens has not been ascertained thus far. However, we report the presence of AHLs in different oral samples and their production by the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. The importance of AHLs is further supported by a very high prevalence of AHL-degradation capability, up to 60%, among bacteria isolated from dental plaque and saliva samples. Furthermore, the wide-spectrum AHL-lactonase Aii20J significantly inhibited oral biofilm formation in different in vitro biofilm models and caused important changes in bacterial composition. Besides, the inhibitory effect of Aii20J on a mixed biofilm of 6 oral pathogens was verified using confocal microscopy. Much more research is needed in order to be able to associate specific AHLs with oral pathologies and to individuate the key actors in AHL-mediated QS processes in dental plaque formation. However, these results indicate a higher relevance of the AHLs in the oral cavity than generally accepted thus far and suggest the potential use of inhibitory strategies against these signals for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Muras
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Paz Otero-Casal
- Departamento de Ciruxía e Especialidade Médico-Cirúrxica, Facultade de Medicina e Odontoloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Unit of Oral Health, C.S. Santa Comba-Negreira, SERGAS, Spain
| | - Vanessa Blanc
- Department of Microbiology, Dentaid Research Center, Dentaid S.L., Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Otero
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Short-Chain N-Acylhomoserine Lactone Quorum-Sensing Molecules Promote Periodontal Pathogens in In Vitro Oral Biofilms. Appl Environ Microbiol 2020; 86:AEM.01941-19. [PMID: 31757829 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01941-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs), the quorum-sensing (QS) signals produced by a range of Gram-negative bacteria, are involved in biofilm formation in many pathogenic and environmental bacteria. Nevertheless, the current paradigm excludes a role of AHLs in dental plaque formation, while other QS signals, such as AI-2 and autoinducer peptides, have been demonstrated to play an important role in biofilm formation and virulence-related gene expression in oral pathogens. In the present work, we have explored the effect of externally added AHLs on in vitro oral biofilm models for commensal, cariogenic, and periodontal dental plaque. While little effect on bacterial growth was observed, some AHLs specifically affected the lactic acid production and protease activity of the biofilms. Most importantly, the analysis of bacterial diversity in the biofilms showed that the addition of C6-homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) results in a shift toward a periodontal bacterial composition profile by increasing the relative presence of the orange-complex bacteria Peptostreptococcus and Prevotella These results point to a relevant role of AHL-mediated QS in dental plaque formation and might be involved in the development of dysbiosis, the mechanism of which should be further investigated. This finding potentially opens new opportunities for the prevention or treatment of the periodontal disease.IMPORTANCE Dental plaque is omnipresent in healthy oral cavities and part of our commensal microbial colonization. At the same time, dental plaque is the cause of the most common human diseases, caries and gum disease. Dental plaque consists of billions of microbes attached to the surface of your teeth. Communication among these microbes is pivotal for development of these complex communities yet poorly studied in dental plaque. In the present study, we show that a specific communication molecule induces changes within the community related to the development of gum disease. This finding suggests that interfering with microbial communication may represent an interesting novel strategy to prevent gum disease that should be further investigated.
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Reina JC, Torres M, Llamas I. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia AHL-Degrading Strains Isolated from Marine Invertebrate Microbiota Attenuate the Virulence of Pectobacterium carotovorum and Vibrio coralliilyticus. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 21:276-290. [PMID: 30762152 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-019-09879-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many Gram-negative aquacultural and agricultural pathogens control virulence factor expression through a quorum-sensing (QS) mechanism involving the production of N-acylhomoserine (AHL) signalling molecules. Thus, the interruption of QS systems by the enzymatic degradation of signalling molecules, known as quorum quenching (QQ), has been proposed as a novel strategy to combat these infections. Given that the symbiotic bacteria of marine invertebrates are considered to be an important source of new bioactive molecules, this study explores the presence of AHL-degrading bacteria among 827 strains previously isolated from the microbiota of anemones and holothurians. Four of these strains (M3-1, M1-14, M3-13 and M9-54-2), belonging to the species Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, were selected on the basis of their ability to degrade a broad range of AHLs, and the enzymes involved in their activity were identified. Strain M9-54-2, which showed the strongest AHL-degrading activity, was selected for further study. High-performance liquid chromatography-mass-spectrometry confirmed that the QQ enzyme is not a lactonase. Strain M9-54-2 degraded AHL accumulation and reduced the production of enzymatic activity in Pectobacterium carotovorum CECT 225T and Vibrio coralliilyticus VibC-Oc-193 in in vitro co-cultivation experiments. The effect of AHL inactivation was confirmed by a reduction in potato tuber maceration and brine shrimp (Artemia salina) mortality caused by P. carotovorum and Vibrio coralliilyticus, respectively. This study strengthens the evidence of marine organisms as an underexplored and promising source of QQ enzymes, useful to prevent infections in aquaculture and agriculture. To our knowledge, this is the first time that anemones and holothurians have been studied for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Carlos Reina
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Marta Torres
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell, CEA, CNRS, University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Inmaculada Llamas
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
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Torres M, Dessaux Y, Llamas I. Saline Environments as a Source of Potential Quorum Sensing Disruptors to Control Bacterial Infections: A Review. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17030191. [PMID: 30934619 PMCID: PMC6471967 DOI: 10.3390/md17030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Saline environments, such as marine and hypersaline habitats, are widely distributed around the world. They include sea waters, saline lakes, solar salterns, or hypersaline soils. The bacteria that live in these habitats produce and develop unique bioactive molecules and physiological pathways to cope with the stress conditions generated by these environments. They have been described to produce compounds with properties that differ from those found in non-saline habitats. In the last decades, the ability to disrupt quorum-sensing (QS) intercellular communication systems has been identified in many marine organisms, including bacteria. The two main mechanisms of QS interference, i.e., quorum sensing inhibition (QSI) and quorum quenching (QQ), appear to be a more frequent phenomenon in marine aquatic environments than in soils. However, data concerning bacteria from hypersaline habitats is scarce. Salt-tolerant QSI compounds and QQ enzymes may be of interest to interfere with QS-regulated bacterial functions, including virulence, in sectors such as aquaculture or agriculture where salinity is a serious environmental issue. This review provides a global overview of the main works related to QS interruption in saline environments as well as the derived biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Torres
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain.
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA/CNRS/University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Yves Dessaux
- Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA/CNRS/University Paris-Sud, University Paris-Saclay, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Inmaculada Llamas
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
- Institute of Biotechnology, Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain.
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Gao D, Zhang Y, Liu R, Fang Z, Lu C. EsR240, a non-coding sRNA, is required for the resistance of Edwardsiella tarda to stresses in macrophages and for virulence. Vet Microbiol 2019; 231:254-263. [PMID: 30955819 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial small non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) are gene expression modulators that respond to environmental changes and pathogenic conditions. In this study, 13 novel sRNAs were identified in the intracellular pathogen, Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) ET13 strain, based on RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Eight of the 13 putative sRNAs from the ET13 strain were transcribed (as indicated by RT-PCR) following exposure to different stresses. The transcription levels of three sRNAs (EsR128, EsR139 and EsR240) were all highly induced under these stress conditions. Northern blot hybridization was employed to verify that EsR240 was expressed in the ET13 strain under both logarithmic and stationary growth phases, and that it formed a single copy transcript in the chromosomes of the ET13 strain. The precise start and end points of EsR240 were determined using 5'and 3' RACE. The conservation of EsR240 was in agreement with the characteristics of sRNA, as indicated by a BLAST analysis. Furthermore, the survival rates of EsR240 mutant were lower than the rates of the wild type ET13 under stress conditions. When the infection time was extended 4 or 6 h, the CFUs of the wild type bacteria increased more significantly within macrophages compared to the mutant. When the intra-peritoneal (i.p.) route of infection was used in mice, the bacterial loads of the tissues in the mice infected with the wild type bacteria were significantly higher than in the mice infected with the mutants. The virulence of the EsR240 mutant was 6.79-fold lower than the wild type bacterium based on the LD50. In addition, the IntaRNA program was used to predict the target genes of EsR240. Out of the top 10 predicted target genes, 9 genes were regulated by EsR240. These target genes may encode FtsH protease modulator YccA, Na+ and H+ antiporters, FtsX-like permease family protein, glycoside hydrolases or various other proteins. Therefore, EsR240 may positively regulate its target genes in E. tarda to maintain intracellular survival within host macrophages and to increase its virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daqing Gao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengzou Fang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Southeast University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengping Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Agricultural University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Buján N, Toranzo AE, Magariños B. Edwardsiella piscicida: a significant bacterial pathogen of cultured fish. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2018; 131:59-71. [PMID: 30324915 DOI: 10.3354/dao03281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Edwardsiella piscicida, a Gram-negative, facultative aerobic pathogen belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family, is the etiological agent of edwardsiellosis in fish and a significant problem in global aquaculture. E. piscicida has been reported from a broad geographical range and has been isolated from more than 20 fish host species to date, but this is likely to be an underestimation, because misidentification of E. piscicida as other species within the genus remains to be resolved. Common clinical signs associated with edwardsiellosis include, but are not limited to, exophthalmia, haemorrhages of the skin and in several internal organs, mild to moderate dermal ulcerations, abdominal distension, discoloration in the fish surface, and erratic swimming. Many antibiotics are currently effective against E. piscicida, although legal restrictions and the cost of medicated feeds have encouraged significant research investment in vaccination for the management of edwardsiellosis in commercial aquaculture. Here we summarise the current understanding of E. piscicida and highlight the difficulties with species assignment and the need for further research on epidemiology and strain variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Buján
- Departamento de Microbioloxía y Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-Edif, CIBUS, and Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
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19
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Mayer C, Muras A, Romero M, López M, Tomás M, Otero A. Multiple Quorum Quenching Enzymes Are Active in the Nosocomial Pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC17978. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:310. [PMID: 30271754 PMCID: PMC6146095 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii presents a typical luxI/luxR quorum sensing (QS) system (abaI/abaR) but the acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal profile and factors controlling the production of QS signals in this species have not been determined yet. A very complex AHL profile was identified for A. baumannii ATCC17978 as well as for A. nosocomialis M2, but only when cultivated under static conditions, suggesting that surface or cell-to-cell contact is involved in the activation of the QS genes. The analysis of A. baumanni clinical isolates revealed a strain-specific AHL profile that was also affected by nutrient availability. The concentration of OHC12-HSL, the major AHL found in A. baumannii ATCC17978, peaked upon stationary-phase establishment and decreases steeply afterwards. Quorum quenching (QQ) activity was found in the cell extracts of A. baumannii ATCC17978, correlating with the disappearance of the AHLs from the culture media, indicating that AHL concentration may be self-regulated in this pathogen. Since QQ activity was observed in strains in which AidA, a novel α/β-hydrolase recently identified in A. baumannii, is not present, we have searched for additional QQ enzymes in A. baumannii ATCC17978. Seven putative AHL-lactonase sequences could be identified in the genome and the QQ activity of 3 of them could be confirmed. At least six of these lactonase sequences are also present in all clinical isolates as well as in A. nosocomialis M2. Surface-associated motility and biofilm formation could be blocked by the exogenous addition of the wide spectrum QQ enzyme Aii20J. The differential regulation of the QQ enzymes in A. baumannii ATCC17978 and the full dependence of important virulence factors on the QS system provides a strong evidence of the importance of the AHL-mediated QS/QQ network in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celia Mayer
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Andrea Muras
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María López
- Department of Microbiology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña-INIBIC, A Coruña Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Department of Microbiology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña-INIBIC, A Coruña Spain
| | - Ana Otero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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20
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Rehman ZU, Leiknes T. Quorum-Quenching Bacteria Isolated From Red Sea Sediments Reduce Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:1354. [PMID: 30065702 PMCID: PMC6057113 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is the process by which bacteria communicate with each other through small signaling molecules such as N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). Certain bacteria can degrade AHL molecules by a process called quorum quenching (QQ); therefore, QQ can be used to control bacterial infections and biofilm formation. In this study, we aimed to identify new species of bacteria with QQ activity. Red Sea sediments were collected either from the close vicinity of seagrass or from areas with no vegetation. We isolated 72 bacterial strains, which were tested for their ability to degrade/inactivate AHL molecules. Chromobacterium violaceum CV026-based bioassay was used for the initial screening of isolates with QQ activity. QQ activity was further quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. We found that these isolates could degrade AHL molecules of different acyl chain lengths as well as modifications. 16S-rRNA sequencing of positive QQ isolates showed that they belonged to three different genera. Specifically, two isolates belonged to the genus Erythrobacter; four, Labrenzia; and one, Bacterioplanes. The genome of one representative isolate from each genus was sequenced, and potential QQ enzymes, namely, lactonases and acylases, were identified. The ability of these isolates to degrade the 3OXOC12-AHLs produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and hence inhibit biofilm formation was investigated. Our results showed that the isolate VG12 (genus Labrenzia) is better than other isolates at controlling biofilm formation by PAO1 and degradation of different AHL molecules. Time-course experiments to study AHL degradation showed that VG1 (genus Erythrobacter) could degrade AHLs faster than other isolates. Thus, QQ bacteria or enzymes can be used in combination with an antibacterial to overcome antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ur Rehman
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - TorOve Leiknes
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Soler A, Arregui L, Arroyo M, Mendoza JA, Muras A, Álvarez C, García-Vera C, Marquina D, Santos A, Serrano S. Quorum Sensing versus Quenching Bacterial Isolates Obtained from MBR Plants Treating Leachates from Municipal Solid Waste. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:E1019. [PMID: 29783658 PMCID: PMC5982058 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15051019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism dependent on bacterial density. This coordinated process is mediated by the synthesis and the secretion of signal molecules, called autoinducers (AIs). N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) are the most common AIs that are used by Gram-negative bacteria and are involved in biofilm formation. Quorum Quenching (QQ) is the interference of QS by producing hydrolyzing enzymes, among other strategies. The main objective of the present study was to identify QS and QQ strains from MBR wastewater treatment plants. A total of 99 strains were isolated from two Spanish plants that were intended to treat leachate from municipal solid waste. Five AHL producers were detected using AHL biosensor strains (Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens NT1). Fifteen strains of seventy-one Gram-positive were capable of eliminating or reducing at least one AHL activity. The analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence showed the importance of the Pseudomonas genus in the production of biofilms and the relevance of the genus Bacillus in the disruption of the QS mechanism, in which the potential activity of lactonase or acylase enzymes was investigated with the aim to contribute to solve biofouling problems and to increase the useful lifespan of membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Soler
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lucía Arregui
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Arroyo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Antonio Mendoza
- Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Polytechnic University of Valencia, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Andrea Muras
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | | | | | - Domingo Marquina
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Antonio Santos
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Susana Serrano
- Department of Genetics, Physiology and Microbiology, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Muras A, López-Pérez M, Mayer C, Parga A, Amaro-Blanco J, Otero A. High Prevalence of Quorum-Sensing and Quorum-Quenching Activity among Cultivable Bacteria and Metagenomic Sequences in the Mediterranean Sea. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:E100. [PMID: 29462892 PMCID: PMC5852596 DOI: 10.3390/genes9020100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Revised: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence being accumulated regarding the importance of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL)-mediated quorum-sensing (QS) and quorum-quenching (QQ) processes in the marine environment, but in most cases, data has been obtained from specific microhabitats, and subsequently little is known regarding these activities in free-living marine bacteria. The QS and QQ activities among 605 bacterial isolates obtained at 90 and 2000 m depths in the Mediterranean Sea were analyzed. Additionally, putative QS and QQ sequences were searched in metagenomic data obtained at different depths (15-2000 m) at the same sampling site. The number of AHL producers was higher in the 90 m sample (37.66%) than in the 2000 m sample (4.01%). However, the presence of QQ enzymatic activity was 1.63-fold higher in the 2000 m sample. The analysis of putative QQ enzymes in the metagenomes supports the relevance of QQ processes in the deepest samples, found in cultivable bacteria. Despite the unavoidable biases in the cultivation methods and biosensor assays and the possible promiscuous activity of the QQ enzymes retrieved in the metagenomic analysis, the results indicate that AHL-related QS and QQ processes could be common activity in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Muras
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Mario López-Pérez
- Evolutionary Genomics Group, División de Microbiología, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Juan de Alicante 03202, Spain.
| | - Celia Mayer
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Ana Parga
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Jaime Amaro-Blanco
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
| | - Ana Otero
- Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Bioloxía-CIBUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
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23
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Yavuztürk Gül B, Koyuncu I. Assessment of new environmental quorum quenching bacteria as a solution for membrane biofouling. Process Biochem 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2017.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Bzdrenga J, Daudé D, Rémy B, Jacquet P, Plener L, Elias M, Chabrière E. Biotechnological applications of quorum quenching enzymes. Chem Biol Interact 2016; 267:104-115. [PMID: 27223408 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2016.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Numerous bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) to synchronize their behavior and monitor their population density. They use signaling molecules known as autoinducers (AI's) that are synthesized and secreted into their local environment to regulate QS-dependent gene expression. Among QS-regulated pathways, biofilm formation and virulence factor secretion are particularly problematic as they are involved in surface-attachment, antimicrobial agent resistance, toxicity, and pathogenicity. Targeting QS represents a promising strategy to inhibit undesirable bacterial traits. This strategy, referred to as quorum quenching (QQ), includes QS-inhibitors and QQ enzymes. These approaches are appealing because they do not directly challenge bacterial survival, and consequently selection pressure may be low, yielding a lower occurrence of resistance. QQ enzymes are particularly promising because they act extracellularly to degrade AI's and can be used in catalytic quantities. This review draws an overview of QQ enzyme related applications, covering several economically important fields such as agriculture, aquaculture, biofouling and health issues. Finally, the possibility of resistance mechanism occurrence to QQ strategies is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek Bzdrenga
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France
| | - David Daudé
- Gene&GreenTK, Faculté de Médecine, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Benjamin Rémy
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France; Gene&GreenTK, Faculté de Médecine, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Pauline Jacquet
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France
| | - Laure Plener
- Gene&GreenTK, Faculté de Médecine, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Mikael Elias
- University of Minnesota, Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics & Biotechnology Institute, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Eric Chabrière
- Aix Marseille Université, URMITE, UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM 1095, Marseille, France.
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25
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Torres M, Rubio-Portillo E, Antón J, Ramos-Esplá AA, Quesada E, Llamas I. Selection of the N-Acylhomoserine Lactone-Degrading Bacterium Alteromonas stellipolaris PQQ-42 and of Its Potential for Biocontrol in Aquaculture. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:646. [PMID: 27242684 PMCID: PMC4860449 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of virulence factors by many pathogenic microorganisms depends on the intercellular communication system called quorum sensing, which involves the production and release of signal molecules known as autoinducers. Based on this, new-therapeutic strategies have emerged for the treatment of a variety of infections, such as the enzymatic degradation of signaling molecules, known as quorum quenching (QQ). In this study, we present the screening of QQ activity amongst 450 strains isolated from a bivalve hatchery in Granada (Spain), and the selection of the strain PQQ-42, which degrades a wide range of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). The selected strain, identified as Alteromonas stellipolaris, degraded the accumulation of AHLs and reduced the production of protease and chitinase and swimming motility of a Vibrio species in co-cultivation experiments in vitro. In the bio-control experiment, strain PQQ-42 significantly reduced the pathogenicity of Vibrio mediterranei VibC-Oc-097 upon the coral Oculina patagonica showing a lower degree of tissue damage (29.25 ± 14.63%) in its presence, compared to when the coral was infected with V. mediterranei VibC-Oc-097 alone (77.53 ± 13.22%). Our results suggest that this AHL-degrading bacterium may have biotechnological applications in aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Torres
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), Institute of Biotechnology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Esther Rubio-Portillo
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Josefa Antón
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Alfonso A Ramos-Esplá
- Department of Marine Science and Applied Biology, University of Alicante Alicante, Spain
| | - Emilia Quesada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), Institute of Biotechnology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Llamas
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Microbiology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain; Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), Institute of Biotechnology, University of GranadaGranada, Spain
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26
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Castro N, Osorio CR, Buján N, Fuentes JC, Rodríguez J, Romero M, Jiménez C, Toranzo AE, Magariños B. Insights into the virulence-related genes of Edwardsiella tarda isolated from turbot in Europe: genetic homogeneity and evidence for vibrioferrin production. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2016; 39:565-576. [PMID: 26096159 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Edwardsiella tarda has long been known as a pathogen that causes severe economic losses in aquaculture industry. Insights gained on E. tarda pathogenesis may prove useful in the development of new methods for the treatment of infections as well as preventive measures against future outbreaks. In this report, we have established the correlation between the presence of virulence genes, related with three aspects typically involved in bacterial pathogenesis (chondroitinase activity, quorum sensing and siderophore-mediated ferric uptake systems), in the genome of E. tarda strains isolated from turbot in Europe and their phenotypic traits. A total of 8 genes were tested by PCR for their presence in 73 E. tarda isolates. High homogeneity was observed in the presence/absence pattern of all the strains. Positive results in the amplification of virulence-related genes were correlated with the detection of chondroitinase activity in agar plates, in vivo AHL production during fish infection and determination of type of siderophore produced by E. tarda. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study carried out with European strains on potential virulence factors. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that E. tarda produces the siderophore vibrioferrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Castro
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología-CIBUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - C R Osorio
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - N Buján
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología-CIBUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - J C Fuentes
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Facultad de Ciencias y Centro de Investigaciones de Ciencias Avanzadas (CICA), Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - J Rodríguez
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Facultad de Ciencias y Centro de Investigaciones de Ciencias Avanzadas (CICA), Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - M Romero
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología-CIBUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - C Jiménez
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Facultad de Ciencias y Centro de Investigaciones de Ciencias Avanzadas (CICA), Universidad de A Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
| | - A E Toranzo
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología-CIBUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - B Magariños
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Biología-CIBUS, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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27
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Mayer C, Romero M, Muras A, Otero A. Aii20J, a wide-spectrum thermostable N-acylhomoserine lactonase from the marine bacterium Tenacibaculum sp. 20J, can quench AHL-mediated acid resistance in Escherichia coli. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2015; 99:9523-39. [PMID: 26092757 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-015-6741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2015] [Revised: 05/24/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) are produced by many Gram-negative bacteria to coordinate gene expression in cellular density dependent mechanisms known as quorum sensing (QS). Since the disruption of the communication systems significantly reduces virulence, the inhibition of quorumsensing processes or quorum quenching (QQ) represents an interesting anti-pathogenic strategy to control bacterial infections. Escherichia coli does not produce AHLs but possesses an orphan AHL receptor, SdiA, which is thought to be able to sense the QS signals produced by other bacteria and controls important traits as the expression of glutamate-dependent acid resistance mechanism, therefore constituting a putative target for QQ. A novel AHL-lactonase, named Aii20J, has been identified, cloned and over expressed from the marine bacterium Tenacibaculum sp. strain 20 J presenting a wide-spectrum QQ activity. The enzyme, belonging to the metallo-β-lactamase family, shares less than 31 % identity with the lactonase AiiA from Bacillus spp. Aii20J presents a much higher specific activity than the Bacillus enzyme, maintains its activity after incubation at 100 ºC for 10 minutes, is resistant to protease K and α-chymotrypsin, and is unaffected by wide ranges of pH. The addition of Aii20J (20 μg/mL) to cultures of E. coli K-12 to which OC6-HSL was added resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability in comparison with the acidresistant cultures derived from the presence of the signal. Results confirm the interaction between AHLs and SdiA in E. coli for the expression of virulence-related genes and reveal the potential use of Aii20J as anti-virulence strategy against important bacterial pathogens and in other biotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mayer
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Romero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- School of Life Sciences, Centre for Biomolecular Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - A Muras
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A Otero
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Biology-CIBUS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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28
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Biofilm Formation and Quorum-Sensing-Molecule Production by Clinical Isolates of Serratia liquefaciens. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:3306-15. [PMID: 25746999 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00088-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Serratia spp. are opportunistic human pathogens responsible for an increasing number of nosocomial infections. However, little is known about the virulence factors and regulatory circuits that may enhance the establishment and long-term survival of Serratia liquefaciens in the hospital environment. In this study, two reporter strains, Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and VIR24, and high-resolution triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) were used to detect and to quantify N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing signals in 20 S. liquefaciens strains isolated from clinical samples. Only four of the strains produced sufficient amounts of AHLs to activate the sensors. Investigation of two of the positive strains by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-MS confirmed the presence of significant amounts of short-acyl-chain AHLs (N-butyryl-l-homoserine lactone [C4-HSL] and N-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone [C6-HSL]) in both strains, which exhibited a complex and strain-specific signal profile that included minor amounts of other short-acyl-chain AHLs (N-octanoyl-l-homoserine lactone [C8-HSL] and N-3-oxohexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone [OC6-HSL]) and long-acyl-chain (C10, C12, and C14) AHLs. No correlation between biofilm formation and the production of large amounts of AHLs could be established. Fimbria-like structures were observed by transmission electron microscopy, and the presence of the type 1 fimbrial adhesin gene fimH in all strains was confirmed by PCR. The ability of S. liquefaciens to adhere to abiotic surfaces and to form biofilms likely contributes to its persistence in the hospital environment, increasing the probability of causing nosocomial infections. Therefore, a better understanding of the adherence properties of this species will provide greater insights into the diseases it causes.
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