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Barbey C, Latour X. Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Communication and Their Biocontrol. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5443. [PMID: 38791481 PMCID: PMC11121524 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
A bacterium's ability to colonize and adapt to an ecological niche is highly dependent on its capacity to perceive and analyze its environment and its ability to interact with its hosts and congeners [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Barbey
- Laboratory of Bacterial Communication and Anti-Infectious Strategies (CBSA UR4312, Formerly LMSM EA4312), University Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie University, F-76000 Rouen, France;
- Research Federation NORVEGE Fed4277, Normandie University, F-76000 Rouen, France
- International Research Federation NOR-SEVE, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratory of Bacterial Communication and Anti-Infectious Strategies (CBSA UR4312, Formerly LMSM EA4312), University Rouen Normandie, Université Caen Normandie, Normandie University, F-76000 Rouen, France;
- Research Federation NORVEGE Fed4277, Normandie University, F-76000 Rouen, France
- International Research Federation NOR-SEVE, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada
- Biocontrol and Biostimulation for Agroecology Association (ABBA), F-75000 Paris, France
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Gonzales M, Jacquet P, Gaucher F, Chabrière É, Plener L, Daudé D. AHL-Based Quorum Sensing Regulates the Biosynthesis of a Variety of Bioactive Molecules in Bacteria. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2024; 87:1268-1284. [PMID: 38390739 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Bacteria are social microorganisms that use communication systems known as quorum sensing (QS) to regulate diverse cellular behaviors including the production of various secreted molecules. Bacterial secondary metabolites are widely studied for their bioactivities including antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic compounds. Besides playing a crucial role in natural bacterial niches and intermicrobial competition by targeting neighboring organisms and conferring survival advantages to the producer, these bioactive molecules may be of prime interest to develop new antimicrobials or anticancer therapies. This review focuses on bioactive compounds produced under acyl homoserine lactone-based QS regulation by Gram-negative bacteria that are pathogenic to humans and animals, including the Burkholderia, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Chromobacterium, and Pseudoalteromonas genera. The synthesis, regulation, chemical nature, biocidal effects, and potential applications of these identified toxic molecules are presented and discussed in light of their role in microbial interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Gonzales
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille 13288, France
- Gene&GreenTK, Marseille 13005, France
| | | | | | - Éric Chabrière
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille 13288, France
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Sompiyachoke K, Elias MH. Engineering quorum quenching acylases with improved kinetic and biochemical properties. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e4954. [PMID: 38520282 PMCID: PMC10960309 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Many Gram-negative bacteria use N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone (AHL) signals to coordinate phenotypes such as biofilm formation and virulence factor production. Quorum-quenching enzymes, such as AHL acylases, chemically degrade these molecules which prevents signal reception by bacteria and inhibits undesirable biofilm-related traits. These capabilities make acylases appealing candidates for controlling microbes, yet candidates with high activity levels and substrate specificity and that are capable of being formulated into materials are needed. In this work, we undertook engineering efforts against two AHL acylases, PvdQ and MacQ, to generate these improved properties using the Protein One-Stop Shop Server. The engineering of acylases is complicated by low-throughput enzymatic assays. Alleviating this challenge, we report a time-course kinetic assay for AHL acylases that monitors the real-time production of homoserine lactone. Using the assay, we identified variants of PvdQ that were significantly stabilized, with melting point increases of up to 13.2°C, which translated into high resistance against organic solvents and increased compatibility with material coatings. While the MacQ mutants were unexpectedly destabilized, they had considerably improved kinetic properties, with >10-fold increases against N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone and N-hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone. Accordingly, these changes resulted in increased quenching abilities using a biosensor model and greater inhibition of virulence factor production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14. While the crystal structure of one of the MacQ variants, M1, did not reveal obvious structural determinants explaining the observed changes in kinetics, it allowed for the capture of an acyl-enzyme intermediate that confirms a previously hypothesized catalytic mechanism of AHL acylases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kitty Sompiyachoke
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
| | - Mikael H. Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and BiophysicsUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
- Biotechnology InstituteSt. PaulMinnesotaUSA
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Huang S, Bergonzi C, Smith S, Hicks RE, Elias MH. Field testing of an enzymatic quorum quencher coating additive to reduce biocorrosion of steel. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0517822. [PMID: 37668433 PMCID: PMC10580884 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05178-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial colonization can be detrimental to the integrity of metal surfaces and lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion. Biocorrosion is a serious problem for aquatic and marine industries in the world and severely affects the maritime transportation industry by destroying port infrastructure and increasing fuel usage and the time and cost required for maintenance of transport vessels. Here, we evaluate the potential of a stable quorum quenching lactonase enzyme to reduce biocorrosion in the field. Over the course of 21 months, steel samples coated with lactonase-containing acrylic paint were submerged at two different sites and depths in the Duluth-Superior Harbor (Lake Superior, MN, USA) and benchmarked against controls, including the biological biocide surfactin. In this experiment, the lactonase treatment outperformed the surfactin biocide treatment and significantly reduced the number of corrosion tubercles (37%; P < 0.01) and the corroded surface area (39%; P < 0.01) as compared to the acrylic-coated control coupons. In an attempt to evaluate the effects of signal disruption of surface microbial communities and the reasons for lower corrosion levels, 16S rRNA sequencing was performed and community populations were analyzed. Interestingly, surface communities were similar between all treatments, and only minor changes could be observed. Among these changes, several groups, including sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), appeared to correlate with corrosion levels, and more specifically, SRB abundance levels were lower on lactonase-treated steel coupons. We surmise that these minute community changes may have large impacts on corrosion rates. Overall, these results highlight the potential use of stable quorum quenching lactonases as an eco-friendly antifouling coating additive. IMPORTANCE Biocorrosion severely affects the maritime transportation industry by destroying port infrastructure and increasing fuel usage and the time and cost required to maintain transport vessels. Current solutions are partly satisfactory, and the antifouling coating still largely depends on biocide-containing products that are harmful to the environment. The importance of microbial signaling in biofouling and biocorrosion is not elucidated. We here take advantage of a highly stable lactonase that can interfere with N-acyl homoserine lactone-based quorum sensing and remain active in a coating base. The observed results show that an enzyme-containing coating can reduce biocorrosion over 21 months in the field. It also reveals subtle changes in the abundance of surface microbes, including sulfate-reducing bacteria. This work may contribute to pave the way for strategies pertaining to surface microbiome changes to reduce biocorrosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqian Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Biotechnology Institute, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Celine Bergonzi
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Biotechnology Institute, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sherry Smith
- Independant Scholar, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Randall E. Hicks
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mikael H. Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota Biotechnology Institute, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Gonzales M, Plener L, Armengaud J, Armstrong N, Chabrière É, Daudé D. Lactonase-mediated inhibition of quorum sensing largely alters phenotypes, proteome, and antimicrobial activities in Burkholderia thailandensis E264. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1190859. [PMID: 37333853 PMCID: PMC10272358 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1190859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Gonzales
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Gene&GreenTK, Marseille, France
| | | | - Jean Armengaud
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (DMTS), SPI, Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France
| | | | - Éric Chabrière
- Aix Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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Zeng X, Zou Y, Zheng J, Qiu S, Liu L, Wei C. Quorum sensing-mediated microbial interactions: Mechanisms, applications, challenges and perspectives. Microbiol Res 2023; 273:127414. [PMID: 37236065 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Microbial community in natural or artificial environments playes critical roles in substance cycles, products synthesis and species evolution. Although microbial community structures have been revealed via culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches, the hidden forces driving the microbial community are rarely systematically discussed. As a mode of cell-to-cell communication that modifies microbial interactions, quorum sensing can regulate biofilm formation, public goods secretion, and antimicrobial substances synthesis, directly or indirectly influencing microbial community to adapt to the changing environment. Therefore, the current review focuses on microbial community in the different habitats from the quorum sensing perspective. Firstly, the definition and classification of quorum sensing were simply introduced. Subsequently, the relationships between quorum sensing and microbial interactions were deeply explored. The latest progressives regarding the applications of quorum sensing in wastewater treatment, human health, food fermentation, and synthetic biology were summarized in detail. Finally, the bottlenecks and outlooks of quorum sensing driving microbial community were adequately discussed. To our knowledge, this current review is the first to reveal the driving force of microbial community from the quorum sensing perspective. Hopefully, this review provides a theoretical basis for developing effective and convenient approaches to control the microbial community with quorum sensing approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyong Zeng
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Biophomacy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Yunman Zou
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Biophomacy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jia Zheng
- Wuliangye Yibin Co Ltd, No.150 Minjiang West Road, Yibin City 644007, China
| | - Shuyi Qiu
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Biophomacy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lanlan Liu
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Biophomacy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Chaoyang Wei
- School of Liquor and Food Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Fermentation and Biophomacy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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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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Polizzi A, Donzella M, Nicolosi G, Santonocito S, Pesce P, Isola G. Drugs for the Quorum Sensing Inhibition of Oral Biofilm: New Frontiers and Insights in the Treatment of Periodontitis. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14122740. [PMID: 36559234 PMCID: PMC9781207 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14122740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical molecules are used by microorganisms to communicate with each other. Quorum sensing is the mechanism through which microorganisms regulate their population density and activity with chemical signaling. The inhibition of quorum sensing, called quorum quenching, may disrupt oral biofilm formation, which is the main etiological factor of oral diseases, including periodontitis. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of infectious etiology involving the hard and soft periodontal tissues and which is related to various systemic disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. The employment of adjuvant therapies to traditional scaling and root planing is currently being studied to further reduce the impact of periodontitis. In this sense, using antibiotics and antiseptics involves non-negligible risks, such as antibiotic resistance phenomena and hinders the re-establishment of eubiosis. Different quorum sensing signal molecules have been identified in periodontal pathogenic oral bacteria. In this regard, quorum sensing inhibitors are emerging as some interesting solutions for the management of periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the mechanisms of quorum sensing signal molecules produced by oral biofilm and to analyze the potential of quorum sensing inhibitors for the management of periodontitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Polizzi
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Department of Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Martina Donzella
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giada Nicolosi
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Santonocito
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-095-378-2638 (S.S. & G.I.)
| | - Paolo Pesce
- Department of Surgical Sciences (DISC), University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Gaetano Isola
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via Sofia 78, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence: (S.S.); (G.I.); Tel.: +39-095-378-2638 (S.S. & G.I.)
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Urvoy M, Lami R, Dreanno C, Delmas D, L'Helguen S, Labry C. Quorum Sensing Regulates the Hydrolytic Enzyme Production and Community Composition of Heterotrophic Bacteria in Coastal Waters. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:780759. [PMID: 34956143 PMCID: PMC8709541 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.780759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterotrophic microbial communities play a central role in biogeochemical cycles in the ocean by degrading organic matter through the synthesis of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. Their hydrolysis rates result from the community’s genomic potential and the differential expression of this genomic potential. Cell-cell communication pathways such as quorum sensing (QS) could impact both aspects and, consequently, structure marine ecosystem functioning. However, the role of QS communications in complex natural assemblages remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated whether N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs), a type of QS signal, could regulate both hydrolytic activities and the bacterial community composition (BCC) of marine planktonic assemblages. To this extent, we carried out two microcosm experiments, adding five different AHLs to bacterial communities sampled in coastal waters (during early and peak bloom) and monitoring their impact on enzymatic activities and diversity over 48 h. Several specific enzymatic activities were impacted during both experiments, as early as 6 h after the AHL amendments. The BCC was also significantly impacted by the treatments after 48 h, and correlated with the expression of the hydrolytic activities, suggesting that changes in hydrolytic intensities may drive changes in BCC. Overall, our results suggest that QS communication could participate in structuring both the function and diversity of marine bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Urvoy
- Ifremer, DYNECO, Plouzané, France.,Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, UMR 6539, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Plouzané, France
| | - Raphaël Lami
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes (LBBM, USR 3579), Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | | | | | - Stéphane L'Helguen
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, UMR 6539, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Plouzané, France
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10
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Connolly JA, Harcombe WR, Smanski MJ, Kinkel LL, Takano E, Breitling R. Harnessing intercellular signals to engineer the soil microbiome. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 39:311-324. [PMID: 34850800 DOI: 10.1039/d1np00034a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Covering: Focus on 2015 to 2020Plant and soil microbiomes consist of diverse communities of organisms from across kingdoms and can profoundly affect plant growth and health. Natural product-based intercellular signals govern important interactions between microbiome members that ultimately regulate their beneficial or harmful impacts on the plant. Exploiting these evolved signalling circuits to engineer microbiomes towards beneficial interactions with crops is an attractive goal. There are few reports thus far of engineering the intercellular signalling of microbiomes, but this article argues that it represents a tremendous opportunity for advancing the field of microbiome engineering. This could be achieved through the selection of synergistic consortia in combination with genetic engineering of signal pathways to realise an optimised microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack A Connolly
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - William R Harcombe
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, MN55108, USA.,Department of Evolution, and Behaviour, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities Saint Paul, MN55108, USA
| | - Michael J Smanski
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, MN55108, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, MN55108, USA
| | - Linda L Kinkel
- BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, MN55108, USA.,Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, Twin-Cities, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Eriko Takano
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | - Rainer Breitling
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre SYNBIOCHEM, Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
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Urvoy M, Lami R, Dreanno C, Daudé D, Rodrigues AMS, Gourmelon M, L'Helguen S, Labry C. Quorum sensing disruption regulates hydrolytic enzyme and biofilm production in estuarine bacteria. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7183-7200. [PMID: 34528354 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Biofilms of heterotrophic bacteria cover organic matter aggregates and constitute hotspots of mineralization, primarily acting through extracellular hydrolytic enzyme production. Nevertheless, regulation of both biofilm and hydrolytic enzyme synthesis remains poorly investigated, especially in estuarine ecosystems. In this study, various bioassays, mass spectrometry and genomics approaches were combined to test the possible involvement of quorum sensing (QS) in these mechanisms. QS is a bacterial cell-cell communication system that relies notably on the emission of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs). In our estuarine bacterial collection, we found that 28 strains (9%), mainly Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter isolates, produced at least 14 different types of AHLs encoded by various luxI genes. We then inhibited the AHL QS circuits of those 28 strains using a broad-spectrum lactonase preparation and tested whether biofilm production as well as β-glucosidase and leucine-aminopeptidase activities were impacted. Interestingly, we recorded contrasted responses, as biofilm production, dissolved and cell-bound β-glucosidase and leucine-aminopeptidase activities significantly increased in 4%-68% of strains but decreased in 0%-21% of strains. These findings highlight the key role of AHL-based QS in estuarine bacterial physiology and ultimately on biogeochemical cycles. They also point out the complexity of QS regulations within natural microbial assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Urvoy
- Ifremer, DYNECO, Plouzané, F-29280, France.,Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, UMR 6539, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Plouzané, F-29280, France
| | - Raphaël Lami
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes (LBBM), 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | | | - David Daudé
- Gene&GreenTK, 19-21 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13005, France
| | - Alice M S Rodrigues
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Biotechnologies Microbiennes (LBBM), 66650 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | | | - Stéphane L'Helguen
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, UMR 6539, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), Plouzané, F-29280, France
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Bourigault Y, Rodrigues S, Crépin A, Chane A, Taupin L, Bouteiller M, Dupont C, Merieau A, Konto-Ghiorghi Y, Boukerb AM, Turner M, Hamon C, Dufour A, Barbey C, Latour X. Biocontrol of Biofilm Formation: Jamming of Sessile-Associated Rhizobial Communication by Rhodococcal Quorum-Quenching. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158241. [PMID: 34361010 PMCID: PMC8347015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Biofilms are complex structures formed by a community of microbes adhering to a surface and/or to each other through the secretion of an adhesive and protective matrix. The establishment of these structures requires a coordination of action between microorganisms through powerful communication systems such as quorum-sensing. Therefore, auxiliary bacteria capable of interfering with these means of communication could be used to prevent biofilm formation and development. The phytopathogen Rhizobium rhizogenes, which causes hairy root disease and forms large biofilms in hydroponic crops, and the biocontrol agent Rhodococcus erythropolis R138 were used for this study. Changes in biofilm biovolume and structure, as well as interactions between rhizobia and rhodococci, were monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy with appropriate fluorescent biosensors. We obtained direct visual evidence of an exchange of signals between rhizobia and the jamming of this communication by Rhodococcus within the biofilm. Signaling molecules were characterized as long chain (C14) N-acyl-homoserine lactones. The role of the Qsd quorum-quenching pathway in biofilm alteration was confirmed with an R. erythropolis mutant unable to produce the QsdA lactonase, and by expression of the qsdA gene in a heterologous host, Escherichia coli. Finally, Rhizobium biofilm formation was similarly inhibited by a purified extract of QsdA enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvann Bourigault
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Sophie Rodrigues
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Chimie Marines, LBCM IUEM, EA 3884, Université de Bretagne-Sud, F-56100 Lorient, France; (S.R.); (L.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Alexandre Crépin
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, UMR CNRS 7267, F-86073 Poitiers, France;
| | - Andrea Chane
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Laure Taupin
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Chimie Marines, LBCM IUEM, EA 3884, Université de Bretagne-Sud, F-56100 Lorient, France; (S.R.); (L.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Mathilde Bouteiller
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Charly Dupont
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Annabelle Merieau
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Yoan Konto-Ghiorghi
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Amine M. Boukerb
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
| | - Marie Turner
- Vegenov, F-29250 Saint-Pol-de-Léon, France; (M.T.); (C.H.)
- Biocontrol Consortium, F-75007 Paris, France
| | - Céline Hamon
- Vegenov, F-29250 Saint-Pol-de-Léon, France; (M.T.); (C.H.)
| | - Alain Dufour
- Laboratoire de Biotechnologie et Chimie Marines, LBCM IUEM, EA 3884, Université de Bretagne-Sud, F-56100 Lorient, France; (S.R.); (L.T.); (A.D.)
| | - Corinne Barbey
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (M.B.); (C.D.); (A.M.); (Y.K.-G.); (A.M.B.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Biocontrol Consortium, F-75007 Paris, France
- Correspondence: ; +33-235-146-000
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Mion S, Carriot N, Lopez J, Plener L, Ortalo-Magné A, Chabrière E, Culioli G, Daudé D. Disrupting quorum sensing alters social interactions in Chromobacterium violaceum. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2021; 7:40. [PMID: 33888726 PMCID: PMC8062528 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-021-00211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication system used by bacteria to coordinate a wide panel of biological functions in a cell density-dependent manner. The Gram-negative Chromobacterium violaceum has previously been shown to use an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-based QS to regulate various behaviors, including the production of proteases, hydrogen cyanide, or antimicrobial compounds such as violacein. By using combined metabolomic and proteomic approaches, we demonstrated that QS modulates the production of antimicrobial and toxic compounds in C. violaceum ATCC 12472. We provided the first evidence of anisomycin antibiotic production by this strain as well as evidence of its regulation by QS and identified new AHLs produced by C. violaceum ATCC 12472. Furthermore, we demonstrated that targeting AHLs with lactonase leads to major QS disruption yielding significant molecular and phenotypic changes. These modifications resulted in drastic changes in social interactions between C. violaceum and a Gram-positive bacterium (Bacillus cereus), a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), immune cells (murine macrophages), and an animal model (planarian Schmidtea mediterranea). These results underscored that AHL-based QS plays a key role in the capacity of C. violaceum to interact with micro- and macroorganisms and that quorum quenching can affect microbial population dynamics beyond AHL-producing bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Mion
- Aix Marseille University, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Eric Chabrière
- Aix Marseille University, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille, Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infections, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.
| | - Gérald Culioli
- Université de Toulon, MAPIEM, Toulon, France. .,Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale, UMR CNRS-IRD, Avignon Université, Aix-Marseille Université, Avignon, France.
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Bourigault Y, Chane A, Barbey C, Jafra S, Czajkowski R, Latour X. Biosensors Used for Epifluorescence and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopies to Study Dickeya and Pectobacterium Virulence and Biocontrol. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9020295. [PMID: 33535657 PMCID: PMC7912877 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9020295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Promoter-probe vectors carrying fluorescent protein-reporter genes are powerful tools used to study microbial ecology, epidemiology, and etiology. In addition, they provide direct visual evidence of molecular interactions related to cell physiology and metabolism. Knowledge and advances carried out thanks to the construction of soft-rot Pectobacteriaceae biosensors, often inoculated in potato Solanum tuberosum, are discussed in this review. Under epifluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopies, Dickeya and Pectobacterium-tagged strains managed to monitor in situ bacterial viability, microcolony and biofilm formation, and colonization of infected plant organs, as well as disease symptoms, such as cell-wall lysis and their suppression by biocontrol antagonists. The use of dual-colored reporters encoding the first fluorophore expressed from a constitutive promoter as a cell tag, while a second was used as a regulator-based reporter system, was also used to simultaneously visualize bacterial spread and activity. This revealed the chronology of events leading to tuber maceration and quorum-sensing communication, in addition to the disruption of the latter by biocontrol agents. The promising potential of these fluorescent biosensors should make it possible to apprehend other activities, such as subcellular localization of key proteins involved in bacterial virulence in planta, in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvann Bourigault
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, 55 rue Saint-Germain, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Andrea Chane
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, 55 rue Saint-Germain, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (C.B.)
| | - Corinne Barbey
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, 55 rue Saint-Germain, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
| | - Sylwia Jafra
- Division of Biological Plant Protection, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, ul. A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Robert Czajkowski
- Division of Biologically Active Compounds, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG, University of Gdansk, ul. A. Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (X.L.); Tel.: +48-58-523-63-33 (R.C.); +33-235-146-000 (X.L.)
| | - Xavier Latour
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), University of Rouen Normandy, 55 rue Saint-Germain, F-27000 Evreux, France; (Y.B.); (A.C.); (C.B.)
- Research Federations NORVEGE Fed4277 & NORSEVE, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
- Correspondence: (R.C.); (X.L.); Tel.: +48-58-523-63-33 (R.C.); +33-235-146-000 (X.L.)
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15
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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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16
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Latour X. The Evanescent GacS Signal. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8111746. [PMID: 33172195 PMCID: PMC7695008 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8111746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The GacS histidine kinase is the membrane sensor of the major upstream two-component system of the regulatory Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway. This pathway governs the expression of a wide range of genes in pseudomonads and controls bacterial fitness and motility, tolerance to stress, biofilm formation, and virulence or plant protection. Despite the importance of these roles, the ligands binding to the sensor domain of GacS remain unknown, and their identification is an exciting challenge in this domain. At high population densities, the GacS signal triggers a switch from primary to secondary metabolism and a change in bacterial lifestyle. It has been suggested, based on these observations, that the GacS signal is a marker of the emergence of nutritional stress and competition. Biochemical investigations have yet to characterize the GacS signal fully. However, they portray this cue as a low-molecular weight, relatively simple and moderately apolar metabolite possibly resembling, but nevertheless different, from the aliphatic organic acids acting as quorum-sensing signaling molecules in other Proteobacteria. Significant progress in the development of metabolomic tools and new databases dedicated to Pseudomonas metabolism should help to unlock some of the last remaining secrets of GacS induction, making it possible to control the Gac/Rsm pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Latour
- Laboratory of Microbiology Signals and Microenvironment (LMSM EA 4312), Normandy University (University of Rouen Normandy), 55 rue Saint-Germain, 27000 Evreux, France;
- Research Federation NORVEGE Fed4277, Normandy University, F-76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France
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Sikdar R, Elias M. Quorum quenching enzymes and their effects on virulence, biofilm, and microbiomes: a review of recent advances. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2020; 18:1221-1233. [PMID: 32749905 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2020.1794815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Numerous bacterial behaviors are regulated by a cell-density dependent mechanism known as Quorum Sensing (QS). QS relies on communication between bacterial cells using diffusible signaling molecules known as autoinducers. QS regulates physiological processes such as metabolism, virulence, and biofilm formation. Quorum Quenching (QQ) is the inhibition of QS using chemical or enzymatic means to counteract behaviors regulated by QS. AREAS COVERED We examine the main, diverse QS mechanisms present in bacterial species, with a special emphasis on AHL-mediated QS. We also discuss key in vitro and in vivo systems in which interference in QS was investigated. Additionally, we highlight promising developments, such as the substrate preference of the used enzymatic quencher, in the application of interference in QS to counter bacterial virulence. EXPERT OPINION Enabled via the recent isolation of highly stable quorum quenching enzymes and/or molecular engineering efforts, the effects of the interference in QS were recently evaluated outside of the traditional model of single species culture. Signal disruption in complex microbial communities was shown to result in the disruption of complex microbial behaviors, and changes in population structures. These new findings, and future studies, may result in significant changes in the traditional views about QS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Sikdar
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics Department and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Mikael Elias
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics Department and BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota , Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
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18
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Billot R, Plener L, Jacquet P, Elias M, Chabrière E, Daudé D. Engineering acyl-homoserine lactone-interfering enzymes toward bacterial control. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:12993-13007. [PMID: 32690609 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.013531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymes able to degrade or modify acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) have drawn considerable interest for their ability to interfere with the bacterial communication process referred to as quorum sensing. Many proteobacteria use AHL to coordinate virulence and biofilm formation in a cell density-dependent manner; thus, AHL-interfering enzymes constitute new promising antimicrobial candidates. Among these, lactonases and acylases have been particularly studied. These enzymes have been isolated from various bacterial, archaeal, or eukaryotic organisms and have been evaluated for their ability to control several pathogens. Engineering studies on these enzymes were carried out and successfully modulated their capacity to interact with specific AHL, increase their catalytic activity and stability, or enhance their biotechnological potential. In this review, special attention is paid to the screening, engineering, and applications of AHL-modifying enzymes. Prospects and future opportunities are also discussed with a view to developing potent candidates for bacterial control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphaël Billot
- Gene&GreenTK, Marseille, France; IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Mikael Elias
- Molecular Biology and Biophysics and Biotechnology Institute, Department of Biochemistry, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric Chabrière
- IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France.
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Mahan K, Martinmaki R, Larus I, Sikdar R, Dunitz J, Elias M. Effects of Signal Disruption Depends on the Substrate Preference of the Lactonase. Front Microbiol 2020; 10:3003. [PMID: 31993034 PMCID: PMC6971184 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.03003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many bacteria produce and use extracellular signaling molecules such as acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) to communicate and coordinate behavior in a cell-density dependent manner, via a communication system called quorum sensing (QS). This system regulates behaviors including but not limited to virulence and biofilm formation. We focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human opportunistic pathogen that is involved in acute and chronic lung infections and which disproportionately affects people with cystic fibrosis. P. aeruginosa infections are becoming increasingly challenging to treat with the spread of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, QS disruption approaches, known as quorum quenching, are appealing due to their potential to control the virulence of resistant strains. Interestingly, P. aeruginosa is known to simultaneously utilize two main QS circuits, one based on C4-AHL, the other with 3-oxo-C12-AHL. Here, we evaluated the effects of signal disruption on 39 cystic fibrosis clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, including drug resistant strains. We used two enzymes capable of degrading AHLs, known as lactonases, with distinct substrate preference: one degrading 3-oxo-C12-AHL, the other degrading both C4-AHL and 3-oxo-C12-AHL. Two lactonases were used to determine the effects of signal disruption on the clinical isolates, and to evaluate the importance of the QS circuits by measuring effects on virulence factors (elastase, protease, and pyocyanin) and biofilm formation. Signal disruption results in at least one of these factors being inhibited for most isolates (92%). Virulence factor activity or production were inhibited by up to 100% and biofilm was inhibited by an average of 2.3 fold. Remarkably, the treatments led to distinct inhibition profiles of the isolates; the treatment with the lactonase degrading both signaling molecules resulted in a higher fraction of inhibited isolates (77% vs. 67%), and the simultaneous inhibition of more virulence factors per strain (2 vs. 1.5). This finding suggests that the lactonase AHL preference is key to its inhibitory spectrum and is an essential parameter to improve quorum quenching strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Mahan
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Ryan Martinmaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Isabel Larus
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Rakesh Sikdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
| | - Jordan Dunitz
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center and Adult CF Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Mikael Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, United States
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Krzyżek P. Challenges and Limitations of Anti-quorum Sensing Therapies. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2473. [PMID: 31736912 PMCID: PMC6834643 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a mechanism allowing microorganisms to sense population density and synchronously control genes expression. It has been shown that QS supervises the activity of many processes important for microbial pathogenicity, e.g., sporulation, biofilm formation, and secretion of enzymes or membrane vesicles. This contributed to the concept of anti-QS therapy [also called quorum quenching (QQ)] and the opportunity of its application in fighting against various types of pathogens. In recent years, many published articles reported promising results indicating the possibility of reducing pathogenicity of tested microorganisms and their easier eradication when co-treated with antibiotics. The aim of the present article is to point to the opposite, negative side of the QQ therapy, with particular emphasis on three fundamental properties attributed to anti-QS substances: the selectivity, virulence reduction, and lack of resistance against QQ. This point of view may highlight new directions of research, which should be taken into account in the future before the widespread introduction of QQ therapies in the treatment of people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Krzyżek
- Department of Microbiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
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21
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Bergonzi C, Schwab M, Naik T, Elias M. The Structural Determinants Accounting for the Broad Substrate Specificity of the Quorum Quenching Lactonase GcL. Chembiochem 2019; 20:1848-1855. [PMID: 30864300 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Quorum quenching lactonases are enzymes capable of hydrolyzing lactones, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). AHLs are molecules known as signals in bacterial communication dubbed quorum sensing. Bacterial signal disruption by lactonases was previously reported to inhibit behavior regulated by quorum sensing, such as the expression of virulence factors and the formation of biofilms. Herein, we report the enzymatic and structural characterization of a novel lactonase representative from the metallo-β-lactamase superfamily, dubbed GcL. GcL is a broad spectrum and highly proficient lactonase, with kcat /KM values in the range of 104 to 106 m-1 s-1 . Analysis of free GcL structures and in complex with AHL substrates of different acyl chain length, namely, C4-AHL and 3-oxo-C12-AHL, allowed their respective binding modes to be elucidated. Structures reveal three subsites in the binding crevice: 1) the small subsite where chemistry is performed on the lactone ring; 2) a hydrophobic ring that accommodates the amide group of AHLs and small acyl chains; and 3) the outer, hydrophilic subsite that extends to the protein surface. Unexpectedly, the absence of structural accommodation for long substrate acyl chains seems to relate to the broad substrate specificity of the enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Bergonzi
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Department and, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Michael Schwab
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Department and, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Tanushree Naik
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Department and, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
| | - Mikael Elias
- Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics Department and, BioTechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, USA
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Huang S, Bergonzi C, Schwab M, Elias M, Hicks RE. Evaluation of biological and enzymatic quorum quencher coating additives to reduce biocorrosion of steel. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217059. [PMID: 31095643 PMCID: PMC6522020 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial colonization can be detrimental to the integrity of metal surfaces and lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Biocorrosion is a serious problem for aquatic and marine industries in the world. In Minnesota (USA), where this study was conducted, biocorrosion severely affects the maritime transportation industry. The anticorrosion activity of a variety of compounds, including chemical (magnesium peroxide) and biological (surfactin, capsaicin, and gramicidin) molecules were investigated as coating additives. We also evaluated a previously engineered, extremely stable, non-biocidal enzyme known to interfere in bacterial signaling, SsoPox (a quorum quenching lactonase). Experimental steel coupons were submerged in water from the Duluth Superior Harbor (DSH) for 8 weeks in the laboratory. Biocorrosion was evaluated by counting the number and the coverage of corrosion tubercles on coupons and also by ESEM imaging of the coupon surface. Three experimental coating additives significantly reduced the formation of corrosion tubercles: surfactin, magnesium peroxide and the quorum quenching lactonase by 31%, 36% and 50%, respectively. DNA sequence analysis of the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed that these decreases in corrosion were associated with significant changes in the composition of bacterial communities on the steel surfaces. These results demonstrate the potential of highly stable quorum quenching lactonases to provide a reliable, cost-effective method to treat steel structures and prevent biocorrosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqian Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SH); (ME); (REH)
| | - Celine Bergonzi
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics & Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Michael Schwab
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics & Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Mikael Elias
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics & Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SH); (ME); (REH)
| | - Randall E. Hicks
- Department of Biology, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SH); (ME); (REH)
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