scholarly journals Metabolic and regulatory engineering of Serratia marcescens: mimicking phage-mediated horizontal acquisition of antibiotic biosynthesis and quorum-sensing capacities

Microbiology ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 152 (7) ◽  
pp. 1899-1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Coulthurst ◽  
Neil R. Williamson ◽  
Abigail K. P. Harris ◽  
David R. Spring ◽  
George P. C. Salmond
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Antibiotic Biosynthesis ◽  
Clinical Strain ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
The Impact

Serratia marcescens is an important cause of opportunistic human infections. Many, but not all, strains produce prodigiosin, a secondary metabolic, red-pigment antibiotic, the biosynthesis of which is directed by the pig gene cluster. Quorum sensing (QS) involves the production and detection of chemical signal molecules as a means to regulate gene expression in response to population cell density. Several strains of S. marcescens have previously been shown to possess an N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone (aHSL) QS system. This study aimed to determine the impact of introducing, by phage-mediated horizontal gene transfer, a biosynthetic gene cluster (pig) and a regulatory locus (aHSL QS) into strains lacking the respective trait. The pig cluster from S. marcescens ATCC 274 (Sma 274) was transferred to the non-pigmented strain, S. marcescens strain 12 (Sma 12). In the engineered strain, pigment was expressed and brought under the control of the recipient's native regulatory systems (aHSL QS and luxS). Moreover, transfer of the aHSL locus from Sma 12 to the non-QS Sma 274 resulted in the imposition of aHSL control onto a variety of native traits, including pigment production. In addition, during this study, the QS regulon of the clinical strain, Sma 12, was characterized, and some novel QS-regulated traits in S. marcescens were identified. The results have implications for the evolution and dissemination of biosynthetic and QS loci, illustrating the genetic modularity and ease of acquisition of these traits and the capacity of phages to act as vectors for horizontal gene transfer.

scholarly journals Short-range quorum sensing controls horizontal gene transfer at micron scale in bacterial communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordi van Gestel ◽  
Tasneem Bareia ◽  
Bar Tenennbaum ◽  
Alma Dal Co ◽  
Polina Guler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
Short Range ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Susceptible Host

AbstractIn bacterial communities, cells often communicate by the release and detection of small diffusible molecules, a process termed quorum-sensing. Signal molecules are thought to broadly diffuse in space; however, they often regulate traits such as conjugative transfer that strictly depend on the local community composition. This raises the question how nearby cells within the community can be detected. Here, we compare the range of communication of different quorum-sensing systems. While some systems support long-range communication, we show that others support a form of highly localized communication. In these systems, signal molecules propagate no more than a few microns away from signaling cells, due to the irreversible uptake of the signal molecules from the environment. This enables cells to accurately detect micron scale changes in the community composition. Several mobile genetic elements, including conjugative elements and phages, employ short-range communication to assess the fraction of susceptible host cells in their vicinity and adaptively trigger horizontal gene transfer in response. Our results underscore the complex spatial biology of bacteria, which can communicate and interact at widely different spatial scales.

scholarly journals N-Acyl-l-Homoserine Lactone Quorum Sensing Controls Butanediol Fermentation in Serratia plymuthica RVH1 and Serratia marcescens MG1

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (12) ◽  
pp. 4570-4572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Van Houdt ◽  
Pieter Moons ◽  
Maria Hueso Buj ◽  
Chris W. Michiels
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Acid Production ◽  
Growth Arrest ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Serratia Plymuthica ◽  
Synthetic Signal ◽  
Signal Production

ABSTRACT Butanediol fermentation in two Serratia species is shown to be affected by N-acyl-l-homoserine lactone-dependent quorum sensing. Knockout of quorum-sensing signal production caused a shift towards enhanced acid production, resulting in early growth arrest, which was reversible by the addition of synthetic signal molecules.

scholarly journals Signal Integration in Quorum Sensing Enables Cross-Species Induction of Virulence in Pectobacterium wasabiae

mBio ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita S. Valente ◽  
Pol Nadal-Jimenez ◽  
André F. P. Carvalho ◽  
Filipe J. D. Vieira ◽  
Karina B. Xavier
Keyword(s):  
Signal Transduction ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Pathogen ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Major Factors

ABSTRACT Bacterial communities can sense their neighbors, regulating group behaviors in response to cell density and environmental changes. The diversity of signaling networks in a single species has been postulated to allow custom responses to different stimuli; however, little is known about how multiple signals are integrated and the implications of this integration in different ecological contexts. In the plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae (formerly Erwinia carotovora), two signaling networks—the N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) quorum-sensing system and the Gac/Rsm signal transduction pathway—control the expression of secreted plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, its major virulence determinants. We show that the AHL system controls the Gac/Rsm system by affecting the expression of the regulatory RNA RsmB. This regulation is mediated by ExpR2, the quorum-sensing receptor that responds to the P. wasabiae cognate AHL but also to AHLs produced by other bacterial species. As a consequence, this level of regulation allows P. wasabiae to bypass the Gac-dependent regulation of RsmB in the presence of exogenous AHLs or AHL-producing bacteria. We provide in vivo evidence that this pivotal role of RsmB in signal transduction is important for the ability of P. wasabiae to induce virulence in response to other AHL-producing bacteria in multispecies plant lesions. Our results suggest that the signaling architecture in P. wasabiae was coopted to prime the bacteria to eavesdrop on other bacteria and quickly join the efforts of other species, which are already exploiting host resources. IMPORTANCE Quorum-sensing mechanisms enable bacteria to communicate through small signal molecules and coordinate group behaviors. Often, bacteria have various quorum-sensing receptors and integrate information with other signal transduction pathways, presumably allowing them to respond to different ecological contexts. The plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae has two N-acyl homoserine lactone receptors with apparently the same regulatory functions. Our work revealed that the receptor with the broadest signal specificity is also responsible for establishing the link between the main signaling pathways regulating virulence in P. wasabiae. This link is essential to provide P. wasabiae with the ability to induce virulence earlier in response to higher densities of other bacterial species. We further present in vivo evidence that this novel regulatory link enables P. wasabiae to join related bacteria in the effort to degrade host tissue in multispecies plant lesions. Our work provides support for the hypothesis that interspecies interactions are among the major factors influencing the network architectures observed in bacterial quorum-sensing pathways. IMPORTANCE Quorum-sensing mechanisms enable bacteria to communicate through small signal molecules and coordinate group behaviors. Often, bacteria have various quorum-sensing receptors and integrate information with other signal transduction pathways, presumably allowing them to respond to different ecological contexts. The plant pathogen Pectobacterium wasabiae has two N-acyl homoserine lactone receptors with apparently the same regulatory functions. Our work revealed that the receptor with the broadest signal specificity is also responsible for establishing the link between the main signaling pathways regulating virulence in P. wasabiae. This link is essential to provide P. wasabiae with the ability to induce virulence earlier in response to higher densities of other bacterial species. We further present in vivo evidence that this novel regulatory link enables P. wasabiae to join related bacteria in the effort to degrade host tissue in multispecies plant lesions. Our work provides support for the hypothesis that interspecies interactions are among the major factors influencing the network architectures observed in bacterial quorum-sensing pathways.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Quorum Sensing in Serratia marcescens AS-1 by Synthetic Analogs of N-Acylhomoserine Lactone

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (20) ◽  
pp. 6339-6344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomohiro Morohoshi ◽  
Toshitaka Shiono ◽  
Kiyomi Takidouchi ◽  
Masashi Kato ◽  
Norihiro Kato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Serratia Marcescens ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Acyl Chain ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Swarming Motility ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Acylhomoserine Lactone

ABSTRACT Quorum sensing is a regulatory system for controlling gene expression in response to increasing cell density. N-Acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) is produced by gram-negative bacteria, which use it as a quorum-sensing signal molecule. Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative opportunistic pathogen which is responsible for an increasing number of serious nosocomial infections. S. marcescens AS-1 produces N-hexanoyl homoserine lactone (C6-HSL) and N-(3-oxohexanoyl) homoserine lactone and regulates prodigiosin production, swarming motility, and biofilm formation by AHL-mediated quorum sensing. We synthesized a series of N-acyl cyclopentylamides with acyl chain lengths ranging from 4 to 12 and estimated their inhibitory effects on prodigiosin production in AS-1. One of these molecules, N-nonanoyl-cyclopentylamide (C9-CPA), had a strong inhibitory effect on prodigiosin production. C9-CPA also inhibited the swarming motility and biofilm formation of AS-1. A competition assay revealed that C9-CPA was able to inhibit quorum sensing at four times the concentration of exogenous C6-HSL and was more effective than the previously reported halogenated furanone. Our results demonstrated that C9-CPA was an effective quorum-sensing inhibitor for S. marcescens AS-1.

Occurrence of Proteolytic Activity and N-Acyl-Homoserine Lactone Signals in the Spoilage of Aerobically Chill-Stored Proteinaceous Raw Foods

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 2729-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. LIU ◽  
J. M. GRAY ◽  
M. W. GRIFFITHS
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Bacterial Flora ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Raw Foods

Proteolytic pseudomonads dominate the spoilage flora of aerobically chill-stored proteinaceous raw foods. Proteolysis during spoilage of these food systems affects both food quality and the dynamics of the bacterial community because it increases the availability of nutrients to the community as a whole. Quorum sensing, or cell-cell signaling, is associated closely with ecological interactions among bacteria in mixed communities. The potential role of quorum sensing in proteolytic food spoilage was examined, based on the evaluation of N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules. The occurrence of proteolytic activity and AHL signals was studied during spoilage of aerobically chill-stored ground beef, fish, chicken, and raw milk. Pseudomonads dominated the psychrotrophic flora, followed distantly by members of the Enterobacteriaceae. The growth of pseudomonads was correlated with the occurrence of proteolytic activity in all food systems. AHL concentration began increasing significantly only after the onset of proteolytic activity. Widely divergent AHL profiles were revealed by thin-layer chromatography analysis of the different food samples, and these profiles were likely determined by the undefined bacterial flora in these systems and by the characterized pseudomonads and Enterobacteriaceae. Although Hafnia alvei was a major component of the Enterobacteriaceae flora in all foods tested and a strong AHL producer, the signal molecules produced by H. alvei strain EB1 did not influence protease production by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 395 in vitro. These results do not indicate any clear correlation between the overall detectable AHL signal molecules accumulated in the food samples and proteolytic activity.

Novel bacteria degrading N-acylhomoserine lactones and their use as quenchers of quorum-sensing-regulated functions of plant-pathogenic bacteria

Microbiology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 149 (8) ◽  
pp. 1981-1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Uroz ◽  
Cathy D'Angelo-Picard ◽  
Aurélien Carlier ◽  
Miena Elasri ◽  
Carine Sicot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Rhodococcus Erythropolis ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Violacein Production ◽  
Regulated Functions

Bacteria degrading the quorum-sensing (QS) signal molecule N-hexanoylhomoserine lactone were isolated from a tobacco rhizosphere. Twenty-five isolates degrading this homoserine lactone fell into six groups according to their genomic REP-PCR and rrs PCR-RFLP profiles. Representative strains from each group were identified as members of the genera Pseudomonas, Comamonas, Variovorax and Rhodococcus. All these isolates degraded N-acylhomoserine lactones other than the hexanoic acid derivative, albeit with different specificity and kinetics. One of these isolates, Rhodococcus erythropolis strain W2, was used to quench QS-regulated functions of other microbes. In vitro, W2 strongly interfered with violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum, and transfer of pathogenicity in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. In planta, R. erythropolis W2 markedly reduced the pathogenicity of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in potato tubers. These series of results reveal the diversity of the QS-interfering bacteria in the rhizosphere and demonstrate the validity of targeting QS signal molecules to control pathogens with natural bacterial isolates.

scholarly journals A Metabolic Regulator Modulates Virulence and Quorum Sensing Signal Production in Pectobacterium atrosepticum

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion F. Cubitt ◽  
Peter E. Hedley ◽  
Neil R. Williamson ◽  
Jenny A. Morris ◽  
Emma Campbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Insertion Mutation ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Methionine Biosynthesis ◽  
Cell Wall Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Pectobacterium Atrosepticum ◽  
Small Regulatory Rna ◽  
The Impact

Plant cell wall–degrading enzymes (PCWDE) are key virulence determinants in the pathogenesis of the potato pathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum. In this study, we report the impact on virulence of a transposon insertion mutation in the metJ gene that codes for the repressor of the methionine biosynthesis regulon. In a mutant strain defective for the small regulatory RNA rsmB, PCWDE are not produced and virulence in potato tubers is almost totally abolished. However, when the metJ gene is disrupted in this background, the rsmB– phenotype is suppressed and virulence and PCWDE production are restored. Additionally, when metJ is disrupted, production of the quorum-sensing signal, N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-homoserine lactone, is increased. The metJ mutant strains showed pleiotropic transcriptional impacts affecting approximately a quarter of the genome. Genes involved in methionine biosynthesis were most highly upregulated but many virulence-associated transcripts were also upregulated. This is the first report of the impact of the MetJ repressor on virulence in bacteria.

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