Altering the communication networks of multispecies microbial systems using a diverse toolbox of AI-2 analogues

ACS Chem Biol. 2012 Jun 15;7(6):1023-30. doi: 10.1021/cb200524y. Epub 2012 Mar 30.

Abstract

There have been intensive efforts to find small molecule antagonists for bacterial quorum sensing (QS) mediated by the "universal" QS autoinducer, AI-2. Previous work has shown that linear and branched acyl analogues of AI-2 can selectively modulate AI-2 signaling in bacteria. Additionally, LsrK-dependent phosphorylated analogues have been implicated as the active inhibitory form against AI-2 signaling. We used these observations to synthesize an expanded and diverse array of AI-2 analogues, which included aromatic as well as cyclic C-1-alkyl analogues. Species-specific analogues that disrupted AI-2 signaling in Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium were identified. Similarly, analogues that disrupted QS behaviors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found. Moreover, we observed a strong correlation between LsrK-dependent phosphorylation of these acyl analogues and their ability to suppress QS. Significantly, we demonstrate that these analogues can selectively antagonize QS in single bacterial strains in a physiologically relevant polymicrobial culture.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Homoserine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homoserine / chemical synthesis
  • Homoserine / chemistry
  • Homoserine / metabolism
  • Lactones / chemical synthesis
  • Lactones / chemistry*
  • Lactones / metabolism*
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / metabolism
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • Quorum Sensing*
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Salmonella typhimurium / enzymology
  • Salmonella typhimurium / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • beta-Galactosidase / metabolism

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Lactones
  • LsrR protein, E coli
  • N-octanoylhomoserine lactone
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Homoserine
  • LsrK protein, E coli
  • Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor)
  • beta-Galactosidase