Potential of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex to Produce 4-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-2-Alkyquinolines

A bacterial pigment provides cross-species protection from H2O2- and neutrophil-mediated killing

Bacterial infections are often polymicrobial. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus cause chronic co-infections, which are more problematic than mono-species infections. Understanding the mechanisms of their interactions is crucial for treating co-infections. Staphyloxanthin (STX), a yellow pigment synthesized by the S. aureus crt operon, promotes S. aureus resistance to oxidative stress and neutrophil-mediated killing. We found that STX production by S. aureus, either as surface-grown macrocolonies or planktonic cultures, was elevated when exposed to the P. aeruginosa exoproduct, 2-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline N-oxide (HQNO). This was observed with both mucoid and non-mucoid P. aeruginosa strains. The induction phenotype was found in a majority of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus clinical isolates examined. When subjected to hydrogen peroxide or human neutrophils, P. aeruginosa survival was significantly higher when mixed with wild-type (WT) S. aureus, compared to P. aeruginosa alone or with an S. aureus crt mutant deficient in STX production. In a murine wound model, co-infection with WT S. aureus, but not the STX-deficient mutant, enhanced P. aeruginosa burden and disease compared to mono-infection. In conclusion, we identified a role for P. aeruginosa HQNO mediating polymicrobial interactions with S. aureus by inducing STX production, which consequently promotes resistance to the innate immune effectors H2O2 and neutrophils. These results further our understanding of how different bacterial species cooperatively cause co-infections.

NaCl-induced modulation of species distribution in a mixed P. aeruginosa / S. aureus /B.cepacia biofilm

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Burkholderia cepacia are notorious pathogens known for their ability to form resilient biofilms, particularly within the lung environment of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The heightened concentration of NaCl, prevalent in the airway liquid of CF patients' lungs, has been identified as a factor that promotes the growth of osmotolerant bacteria like S. aureus and dampens host antibacterial defenses, thereby fostering favorable conditions for infections. In this study, we aimed to investigate how increased NaCl concentrations impact the development of multi-species biofilms in vitro, using both laboratory strains and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, and B. cepacia co-cultures. Employing a low-nutrient culture medium that fosters biofilm growth of the selected species, we quantified biofilm formation through a combination of adherent CFU counts, qPCR analysis, and confocal microscopy observations. Our findings reaffirmed the challenges faced by S. aureus in establishing growth within 1:1 mixed biofilms with P. aeruginosa when cultivated in a minimal medium. Intriguingly, at an elevated NaCl concentration of 145 mM, a symbiotic relationship emerged between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, enabling their co-existence. Notably, this hyperosmotic environment also exerted an influence on the interplay of these two bacteria with B. cepacia. We demonstrated that elevated NaCl concentrations play a pivotal role in orchestrating the distribution of these three species within the biofilm matrix. Furthermore, our study unveiled the beneficial impact of NaCl on the biofilm growth of clinically relevant mucoid P. aeruginosa strains, as well as two strains of methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant S. aureus. This underscores the crucial role of the microenvironment during the colonization and infection processes. The results suggest that hyperosmotic conditions could hold the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of the genesis and behavior of CF multi-species biofilms.

Lactonase-mediated inhibition of quorum sensing largely alters phenotypes, proteome, and antimicrobial activities in Burkholderia thailandensis E264

Introduction

Burkholderia thailandensis is a study model for Burkholderia pseudomallei, a highly virulent pathogen, known to be the causative agent of melioidosis and a potential bioterrorism agent. These two bacteria use an (acyl-homoserine lactone) AHL-mediated quorum sensing (QS) system to regulate different behaviors including biofilm formation, secondary metabolite productions, and motility.

Methods

Using an enzyme-based quorum quenching (QQ) strategy, with the lactonase SsoPox having the best activity on B. thailandensis AHLs, we evaluated the importance of QS in B. thailandensis by combining proteomic and phenotypic analyses.

Results

We demonstrated that QS disruption largely affects overall bacterial behavior including motility, proteolytic activity, and antimicrobial molecule production. We further showed that QQ treatment drastically decreases B. thailandensis bactericidal activity against two bacteria (Chromobacterium violaceum and Staphylococcus aureus), while a spectacular increase in antifungal activity was observed against fungi and yeast (Aspergillus niger, Fusarium graminearum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae).

Discussion

This study provides evidence that QS is of prime interest when it comes to understanding the virulence of Burkholderia species and developing alternative treatments.

QSP: An open sequence database for quorum sensing related gene analysis with an automatic annotation pipeline

Quorum sensing (QS) has attracted great attention due to its important role in the bacterial interactions and its relevance to water management. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, a specific database for QS-related sequence annotation is urgently needed. Here, Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profiles for 38 types of QS-related proteins were built using a total of 4024 collected seed sequences. Based on both homolog search and keywords confirmation against the non-redundant database, we established a QS-related protein (QSP) database, that includes 809,721 protein sequences and 186,133 nucleotide sequences, downloaded available at: https://github.com/chunxiao-dcx/QSP. The entries were classified into 38 types and 315 subtypes among 91 bacterial phyla. Furthermore, an automatic annotation pipeline, named QSAP, was developed for rapid annotation, classification and abundance quantification of QSP-like sequences from sequencing data. This pipeline provided the two homolog alignment strategies offered by Diamond (Blastp) or HMMER (Hmmscan), as well as a data cleansing function for a subset or union set of the hits. The pipeline was tested using 14 metagenomic samples from various water environments, including activated sludge, deep-sea sediments, estuary water, and reservoir water. The QSAP pipeline is freely available for academic use in the code repository at: https://github.com/chunxiao-dcx/QSAP. The establishment of this database and pipeline, provides a useful tool for QS-related sequence annotation in a wide range of projects, and will increase our understanding of QS communication in aquatic environments.

Compilation of the Antimicrobial Compounds Produced by Burkholderia Sensu Stricto

Due to the increase in multidrug-resistant microorganisms, the investigation of novel or more efficient antimicrobial compounds is essential. The World Health Organization issued a list of priority multidrug-resistant bacteria whose eradication will require new antibiotics. Among them, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae are in the "critical" (most urgent) category. As a result, major investigations are ongoing worldwide to discover new antimicrobial compounds. Burkholderia, specifically Burkholderia sensu stricto, is recognized as an antimicrobial-producing group of species. Highly dissimilar compounds are among the molecules produced by this genus, such as those that are unique to a particular strain (like compound CF66I produced by Burkholderia cepacia CF-66) or antimicrobials found in a number of species, e.g., phenazines or ornibactins. The compounds produced by Burkholderia include N-containing heterocycles, volatile organic compounds, polyenes, polyynes, siderophores, macrolides, bacteriocins, quinolones, and other not classified antimicrobials. Some of them might be candidates not only for antimicrobials for both bacteria and fungi, but also as anticancer or antitumor agents. Therefore, in this review, the wide range of antimicrobial compounds produced by Burkholderia is explored, focusing especially on those compounds that were tested in vitro for antimicrobial activity. In addition, information was gathered regarding novel compounds discovered by genome-guided approaches.

Methodological tools to study species of the genus Burkholderia

Bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia genus are extremely versatile and diverse. They can be environmental isolates, opportunistic pathogens in cystic fibrosis, immunocompromised or chronic granulomatous disease patients, or cause disease in healthy people (e.g., Burkholderia pseudomallei) or animals (as in the case of Burkholderia mallei). Since the genus was separated from the Pseudomonas one in the 1990s, the methodological tools to study and characterize these bacteria are evolving fast. Here we reviewed the techniques used in the last few years to update the taxonomy of the genus, to study gene functions and regulations, to deepen the knowledge on the drug resistance which characterizes these bacteria, and to elucidate their mechanisms to establish infections. The availability of these tools significantly impacts the quality of research on Burkholderia and the choice of the most appropriated is fundamental for a precise characterization of the species of interest.

Key points

• Updated techniques to study the genus Burkholderia were reviewed.

• Taxonomy, genomics, assays, and animal models were described.

• A comprehensive overview on recent advances in Burkholderia studies was made.

2-Alkyl-4-quinolone quorum sensing molecules are biomarkers for culture-independent Pseudomonas aeruginosa burden in adults with cystic fibrosis

Introduction. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces quorum sensing signalling molecules including 2-alkyl-4-quinolones (AQs), which regulate virulence factor production in the cystic fibrosis (CF) airways.Hypothesis/Gap statement. Culture can lead to condition-dependent artefacts which may limit the potential insights and applications of AQs as minimally-invasive biomarkers of bacterial load.Aim. We aimed to use culture-independent methods to explore the correlations between AQ levels and live P. aeruginosa load in adults with CF.Methodology. Seventy-five sputum samples at clinical stability and 48 paired sputum samples obtained at the beginning and end of IV antibiotics for a pulmonary exacerbation in adults with CF were processed using a viable cell separation technique followed by quantitative P. aeruginosa polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Live P. aeruginosa qPCR load was compared with the concentrations of three AQs (HHQ, NHQ and HQNO) detected in sputum, plasma and urine.Results. At clinical stability and the beginning of IV antibiotics for pulmonary exacerbation, HHQ, NHQ and HQNO measured in sputum, plasma and urine were consistently positively correlated with live P. aeruginosa qPCR load in sputum, compared to culture. Following systemic antibiotics live P. aeruginosa qPCR load decreased significantly (P<0.001) and was correlated with a reduction in plasma NHQ (plasma: r=0.463, P=0.003).Conclusion. In adults with CF, AQ concentrations correlated more strongly with live P. aeruginosa bacterial load measured by qPCR compared to traditional culture. Prospective studies are required to assess the potential of systemic AQs as biomarkers of P. aeruginosa bacterial burden.

Novel detection of specific bacterial quorum sensing molecules in saliva: Potential non-invasive biomarkers for pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces specific signalling molecules, 2-alkyl-4-quinolones (AQs) that are detectable in the sputum of adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) and who have pulmonary infection with this opportunistic pathogen. This study aimed to determine whether AQs could be detected in saliva of patients with CF and known infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Saliva and sputum samples were obtained from 89 adults with CF and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. AQs were detected in 39/89 (43.8%) saliva samples and 70/77(90.9%) sputum samples. Salivary AQs had a sensitivity of 50% (95%CI; 37.8; 62.2), specificity of 100% (95%CI; 47.8; 100), when compared to a molecular microbiological measure of P. aeruginosa in sputum as measured using polymerase chain reaction. Specific AQs produced by P. aeruginosa can be detected in the saliva and warrant investigation as potential non-invasive biomarkers of pulmonary P. aeruginosa.

The Burkholderia pseudomallei hmqA-G Locus Mediates Competitive Fitness against Environmental Gram-Positive Bacteria

Burkholderia pseudomallei is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for the disease melioidosis in humans and animals. The microbe is a tier 1 select agent because it is highly infectious by the aerosol route, it is inherently resistant to multiple antibiotics, and no licensed vaccine currently exists. Naturally acquired infections result from contact with contaminated soil or water sources in regions of endemicity. There have been few reports investigating the molecular mechanism(s) utilized by B. pseudomallei to survive and persist in ecological niches harboring microbial competitors. Here, we report the isolation of Gram-positive bacteria from multiple environmental sources and show that ∼45% of these isolates are inhibited by B. pseudomallei in head-to-head competition assays. Two competition-deficient B. pseudomallei transposon mutants were identified that contained insertion mutations in the hmqA-G operon. This large biosynthetic gene cluster encodes the enzymes that produce a family of secondary metabolites called 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs). Liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry conducted on filter-sterilized culture supernatants revealed five HMAQs and N-oxide derivatives that were produced by the parental strain but were absent in an isogenic hmqD deletion mutant. The results demonstrate that B. pseudomallei inhibits the growth of environmental Gram-positive bacteria in a contact-independent manner via the production of HMAQs by the hmqA-G operon. IMPORTANCE Burkholderia pseudomallei naturally resides in water, soil, and the rhizosphere and its success as an opportunistic pathogen is dependent on the ability to persist in these harsh habitats long enough to come into contact with a susceptible host. In addition to adapting to limiting nutrients and diverse chemical and physical challenges, B. pseudomallei also has to interact with a variety of microbial competitors. Our research shows that one of the ways in which B. pseudomallei competes with Gram-positive environmental bacteria is by exporting a diverse array of closely related antimicrobial secondary metabolites.

Presence of the Hmq System and Production of 4-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-2-Alkylquinolines Are Heterogeneously Distributed between Burkholderia cepacia Complex Species and More Prevalent among Environmental than Clinical Isolates

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises several species of closely related, versatile bacteria. Some Bcc strains produce 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs), analogous to the 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using in silico analyses, we previously estimated that the hmqABCDEFG operon, which encodes enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of HMAQs, is carried by about one-third of Bcc strains, with considerable inter- and intraspecies variability. In the present study, we investigated by PCR, using consensus primers, the distribution of hmqABCDEFG in a collection of 312 Bcc strains (222 of clinical and 90 of environmental origins) belonging to 18 Bcc species. We confirmed that this operon is not distributed evenly among Bcc species. Among the 30% of strains bearing the hmqABCDEFG operon, we found that 92% of environmental isolates and 82% of clinically isolated Bcc strains produce levels of HMAQs detectable by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in at least one of the tested culture conditions. Among the hmqABCDEFG-positive but HMAQ-negative strains, none expressed the hmqA gene under the specified culture conditions. Interestingly, the hmqABCDEFG operon is more prevalent among plant root environment species (e.g., Burkholderia ambifaria and Burkholderia cepacia) and absent in species commonly found in chronically colonized individuals with cystic fibrosis (e.g., Burkholderia cenocepacia and Burkholderia multivorans), suggesting a role for the Hmq system in niche adaptation. We investigated the impact of the Hmq system on plant growth promotion and found that Pisum sativum root development by B. ambifaria required a functional HMAQ system.

IMPORTANCE Environmental bacteria belonging to the various closely related species forming the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) can infect plants and animals, including humans. Their pathogenicity is regulated by intercellular communication, or quorum sensing, allowing them to collaborate instead of acting individually. Bcc organisms generally exploit interacting quorum sensing systems based on N-acyl-homoserine lactones as signaling molecules. Several Bcc strains also carry an hmqABCDEFG operon responsible for the biosynthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs), molecules analogous to the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system of P. aeruginosa. Our finding that the prevalences of the Hmq system and HMAQ production are very different between various Bcc species suggests a key role in niche adaptation or pathogenicity. This is supported by a significant reduction in plant growth promotion in the absence of HMAQ production for a beneficial Bcc strain.

Proteomics insights into the Burkholderia cenocepacia phosphorus stress response

The Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of Burkholderia species that are opportunistic pathogens causing high mortality rates in patients with cystic fibrosis. An environmental stress often encountered by these soil-dwelling and pathogenic bacteria is phosphorus limitation, an essential element for cellular processes. Here, we describe cellular and extracellular proteins differentially regulated between phosphate-deplete (0 mM, no added phosphate) and phosphate-replete (1 mM) growth conditions using a comparative proteomics (LC-MS/MS) approach. We observed a total of 128 and 65 unique proteins were downregulated and upregulated respectively, in the B. cenocepacia proteome. Of those downregulated proteins, many have functions in amino acid transport/metabolism. We have identified 24 upregulated proteins that are directly/indirectly involved in inorganic phosphate or organic phosphorus acquisition. Also, proteins involved in virulence and antimicrobial resistance were differentially regulated, suggesting B. cenocepacia experiences a dramatic shift in metabolism under these stress conditions. Overall, this study provides a baseline for further research into the biology of Burkholderia in response to phosphorus stress.

Discovery of a Novel Lineage Burkholderia cepacia ST 1870 Endophytically Isolated from Medicinal Polygala paniculata Which Shows Potent In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antimicrobial Effects

In this study, we report the isolation and identification of an endophytic strain of Burkholderia cepacia (COPS strain) associated with Polygala paniculata roots. Polygala plants are rich sources of promising microbiomes, of which the literature reports several pharmacological effects, such as trypanocidal, antinociceptive, anesthetic, anxiolytics, and anticonvulsant activities. B. cepacia COPS belongs to a new sequence type (ST 1870) and harbors a genome estimated in 8.3 Mbp which exhibits the aminoglycosides and beta-lactams resistance genes aph(3′)-IIa and bla_TEM-116, respectively. Analysis performed using MLST, average nucleotide identity, and digital DNA-DNA hybridization support its species-level identification and reveals its novel housekeeping genes alleles gyrB, lepA, and phaC. The root endophyte B. cepacia COPS drew our attention from a group of 14 bacterial isolates during the primary screening for being potentially active against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and exhibited the broad-spectrum activity against phytopathogenic fungi. In addition, COPS strain showed production of protease, lipase, and esterase in solid media, and its natural product extract showed potent inhibition against fungal plant pathogens, such as Moniliophthora perniciosa, whose antagonism index (89.32%) exceeded the positive control (74.17%), whereas Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Ceratocystis paradoxa showed high percentages of inhibition (85.53% and 82.69%, respectively). COPS crude extract also significantly inhibited S. epidermidis ATCC 35984, E. faecium ATCC 700221 (MIC values of 32 μg/mL for both), E. faecalis ATCC 29212 (64 μg/mL), and S. aureus ATCC 25923 (128 μg/mL). We observed moderate antagonistic activity against A. baumannii ATCC 19606 and E. coli ATCC 25922 (both at 512 μg/mL), as well as potent cytotoxic effects on Leishmania infantum and Leishmania major promastigote forms with 78.25% and 57.30% inhibition. In conclusion, this study presents for the first time the isolation of an endophytic B. cepacia strain associated with P. paniculata and enough evidence that these plants may be considered a rich source of microbes for the fight against neglected diseases.

Profiling structural diversity and activity of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone N-oxides of Pseudomonas and Burkholderia

We synthesized all major saturated and unsaturated 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone N-oxides of Pseudomonas and Burkholderia, quantified their native production levels and characterized their antibiotic activities against competing Staphylococcus aureus. We demonstrate that quinolone core methylation and position of unsaturation in the alkyl-chain dictate antibiotic potency which supports the proposed mechanism of action.

Burkholderia thailandensis Methylated Hydroxyalkylquinolines: Biosynthesis and Antimicrobial Activity in Cocultures

The bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis produces an arsenal of secondary metabolites that have diverse structures and roles in the ecology of this soil-dwelling bacterium. In coculture experiments, B. thailandensis strain E264 secretes an antimicrobial that nearly eliminates another soil bacterium, Bacillus subtilis strain 168. To identify the antimicrobial, we used a transposon mutagenesis approach. This screen identified antimicrobial-defective mutants with insertions in the hmqA, hmqC, and hmqF genes involved in biosynthesis of a family of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones called 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinolines (HMAQs), which are closely related to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines (HAQs). Insertions also occurred in the previously uncharacterized gene BTH_II1576 ("hmqL"). The results confirm that BTH_II1576 is involved in generating N-oxide derivatives of HMAQs (HMAQ-NOs). Synthetic HMAQ-NO is active against B. subtilis 168, showing ∼50-fold more activity than HMAQ. Both the methyl group and the length of the carbon side chain account for the high activity of HMAQ-NO. The results provide new information on the biosynthesis and activities of HMAQs and reveal new insight into how these molecules might be important for the ecology of B. thailandensis IMPORTANCE The soil bacterium Burkholderia thailandensis produces 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones that are mostly methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines, a family of relatively unstudied metabolites similar to molecules also synthesized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Several of the methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines have antimicrobial activity against other species. We show that Bacillus subtilis strain 168 is particularly susceptible to N-oxidated methylalkenylquinolines (HMAQ-NOs). We confirmed that HMAQ-NO biosynthesis requires the previously unstudied protein HmqL. These results provide new information about the biology of 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones, particularly the methylated 4-hydroxyalkenylquinolines, which are unique to B. thailandensis This study also has importance for understanding B. thailandensis secondary metabolites and has implications for potential therapeutic development.

Secondary metabolites from the Burkholderia pseudomallei complex: structure, ecology, and evolution

Bacterial secondary metabolites play important roles in promoting survival, though few have been carefully studied in their natural context. Numerous gene clusters code for secondary metabolites in the genomes of members of the Bptm group, made up of three closely related species with distinctly different lifestyles: the opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei, the non-pathogenic saprophyte Burkholderia thailandensis, and the host-adapted pathogen Burkholderia mallei. Several biosynthetic gene clusters are conserved across two or all three species, and this provides an opportunity to understand how the corresponding secondary metabolites contribute to survival in different contexts in nature. In this review, we discuss three secondary metabolites from the Bptm group: bactobolin, malleilactone (and malleicyprol), and the 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines, providing an overview of each of their biosynthetic pathways and insight into their potential ecological roles. Results of studies on these secondary metabolites provide a window into how secondary metabolites contribute to bacterial survival in different environments, from host infections to polymicrobial soil communities.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Burkholderia-Related 4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinolines (HMAQs) and Their N-Oxide Counterparts

The Burkholderia genus offers a promising potential in medicine because of the diversity of biologically active natural products encoded in its genome. Some pathogenic Burkholderia spp. biosynthesize a specific class of antimicrobial 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolones, i.e., 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinolines (HMAQs) and their N-oxide derivatives (HMAQNOs). Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of six HMAQs and HMAQNOs featuring a trans-Δ² double bond at the C2-alkyl chain. The quinolone scaffold was obtained via the Conrad-Limpach approach, while the (E)-2-alkenyl chain was inserted through Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling under microwave radiation without noticeable isomerization according to the optimized conditions. Subsequent oxidation of enolate-protected HMAQs cleanly led to the formation of HMAQNOs following cleavage of the ethyl carbonate group. Synthetic HMAQs and HMAQNOs were evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial activity against different Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria as well as against molds and yeasts. The biological results support and extend the potential of HMAQs and HMAQNOs as antimicrobials, especially against Gram-positive bacteria. We also confirm the involvement of HMAQs in the autoregulation of the Hmq system in Burkholderia ambifaria.

4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone, originally discovered from a Brassicaceae plant, produced by a soil bacterium of the genus Burkholderia sp.: determination of a preferred tautomer and antioxidant activity

4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2(1H)-quinolone (1), a molecule known for a long time and recently discovered from a Brassicaceae plant Isatis tinctoria without providing sufficient evidence to support the structure, was isolated from a fermentation extract of Burkholderia sp. 3Y-MMP isolated from a soil by a Zn²⁺ enrichment culture. Detailed spectroscopic analyses by MS and NMR, combined with ¹³C chemical shift comparison with literature values of the related compounds and a synthetic preparation of 1, allowed its first full NMR characterization and identification of 2-quinolone but not 2-quinolinol (2) as the preferred tautomer for this heterocyclic system. While the metal-chelating activity was negligible, compound 1 at 10 μM, a concentration lower than that in liquid production cultures, quenched hydroxy radical-induced chemiluminescence emitted by luminol by 86%. Because some Burkholderia species are pathogenic to plants and animals, the above result suggests that 1 is a potential antioxidant to counteract reactive oxygen species-based immune response in the host organisms.

The Multifaceted Inhibitory Effects of an Alkylquinolone on the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The mechanisms underlying interactions between diatoms and bacteria are crucial to understand diatom behaviour and proliferation, and can result in far‐reaching ecological consequences. Recently, 2‐alkyl‐4‐quinolones have been isolated from marine bacteria, both of which (the bacterium and isolated chemical) inhibited growth of microalgae, suggesting these compounds could mediate diatom–bacteria interactions. The effects of several quinolones on three diatom species have been investigated. The growth of all three was inhibited, with half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations reaching the sub‐micromolar range. By using multiple techniques, dual inhibition mechanisms were uncovered for 2‐heptyl‐4‐quinolone (HHQ) in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Firstly, photosynthetic electron transport was obstructed, primarily through inhibition of the cytochrome b₆f complex. Secondly, respiration was inhibited, leading to repression of ATP supply to plastids from mitochondria through organelle energy coupling. These data clearly show how HHQ could modulate diatom proliferation in marine environments.