scholarly journals The Global Posttranscriptional Regulator RsmA Modulates Production of Virulence Determinants andN-Acylhomoserine Lactones in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (22) ◽  
pp. 6676-6683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriella Pessi ◽  
Faye Williams ◽  
Zoë Hindle ◽  
Karin Heurlier ◽  
Matthew T. G. Holden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Extracellular Enzymes ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Exponential Growth Phase ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Negative Effect

ABSTRACT Posttranscriptional control is known to contribute to the regulation of secondary metabolism and virulence determinants in certain gram-negative bacteria. Here we report the isolation of aPseudomonas aeruginosa gene which encodes a global translational regulatory protein, RsmA (regulator of secondary metabolites). Overexpression of rsmA resulted in a substantial reduction in the levels of extracellular products, including protease, elastase, and staphylolytic (LasA protease) activity as well as the PA-IL lectin, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and the phenazine pigment pyocyanin. While inactivation of rsmAin P. aeruginosa had only minor effects on the extracellular enzymes and the PA-IL lectin, the production of HCN and pyocyanin was enhanced during the exponential phase. The influence of RsmA on N-acylhomoserine lactone-mediated quorum sensing was determined by assaying the levels ofN-(3-oxododecanoyl)homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) and N-butanoylhomoserine lactone (C4-HSL) produced by the rsmA mutant and thersmA-overexpressing strain. RsmA exerted a negative effect on the synthesis of both 3-oxo-C12-HSL and C4-HSL, which was confirmed by using lasI and rhlItranslational fusions. These data also highlighted the temporal expression control of the lasI gene, which was induced much earlier and to a higher level during the exponential growth phase in an rsmA mutant. To investigate whether RsmA modulates HCN production solely via quorum-sensing control, hcntranslational fusions were employed to monitor the regulation of the cyanide biosynthesis genes (hcnABC). RsmA was shown to exert an additional negative effect on cyanogenesis posttranscriptionally by acting on a region surrounding thehcnA ribosome-binding site. This suggests that, inP. aeruginosa, RsmA functions as a pleiotropic posttranscriptional regulator of secondary metabolites directly and also indirectly by modulating the quorum-sensing circuitry.

scholarly journals Revisiting the quorum-sensing hierarchy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: the transcriptional regulator RhlR regulates LasR-specific factors

Microbiology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 155 (3) ◽  
pp. 712-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Dekimpe ◽  
Eric Déziel
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
The Other ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Late Stationary Phase ◽  
Regulatory Systems ◽  
Specific Factors

Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses the two major quorum-sensing (QS) regulatory systems las and rhl to modulate the expression of many of its virulence factors. The las system is considered to stand at the top of the QS hierarchy. However, some virulence factors such as pyocyanin have been reported to still be produced in lasR mutants under certain conditions. Interestingly, such mutants arise spontaneously under various conditions, including in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients. Using transcriptional lacZ reporters, LC/MS quantification and phenotypic assays, we have investigated the regulation of QS-controlled factors by the las system. Our results show that activity of the rhl system is only delayed in a lasR mutant, thus allowing the expression of multiple virulence determinants such as pyocyanin, rhamnolipids and C4-homoserine lactone (HSL) during the late stationary phase. Moreover, at this stage, RhlR is able to overcome the absence of the las system by activating specific LasR-controlled functions, including production of 3-oxo-C12-HSL and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS). P. aeruginosa is thus able to circumvent the deficiency of one of its QS systems by allowing the other to take over. This work demonstrates that the QS hierarchy is more complex than the model simply presenting the las system above the rhl system.

scholarly journals The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lectins PA-IL and PA-IIL Are Controlled by Quorum Sensing and by RpoS

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (22) ◽  
pp. 6401-6411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Winzer ◽  
Colin Falconer ◽  
Nachman C. Garber ◽  
Stephen P. Diggle ◽  
Miguel Camara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Transcriptional Start Site ◽  
Immunoblot Analysis ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Start Codon ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Putative Promoter Region ◽  
Consensus Sequences ◽  
Translational Start

ABSTRACT In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, many exoproduct virulence determinants are regulated via a hierarchical quorum-sensing cascade involving the transcriptional regulators LasR and RhlR and their cognate activators,N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone (3O-C12-HSL) and N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL). In this paper, we demonstrate that the cytotoxic lectins PA-IL and PA-IIL are regulated via quorum sensing. Using immunoblot analysis, the production of both lectins was found to be directly dependent on the rhl locus while, in alasR mutant, the onset of lectin synthesis was delayed but not abolished. The PA-IL structural gene, lecA, was cloned and sequenced. Transcript analysis indicated a monocistronic organization with a transcriptional start site 70 bp upstream of thelecA translational start codon. A lux box-type element together with RpoS (ςS) consensus sequences was identified upstream of the putative promoter region. InEscherichia coli, expression of alecA::lux reporter fusion was activated by RhlR/C4-HSL, but not by LasR/3O-C12-HSL, confirming direct regulation by RhlR/C4-HSL. Similarly, in P. aeruginosaPAO1, the expression of a chromosomallecA::lux fusion was enhanced but not advanced by the addition of exogenous C4-HSL but not 3O-C12-HSL. Furthermore, mutation of rpoS abolished lectin synthesis inP. aeruginosa, demonstrating that both RpoS and RhlR/C4-HSL are required. Although the C4-HSL-dependent expression of the lecA::lux reporter in E. coli could be inhibited by the presence of 3O-C12-HSL, this did not occur in P. aeruginosa. This suggests that, in the homologous genetic background, 3O-C12-HSL does not function as a posttranslational regulator of the RhlR/C4-HSL-dependent activation oflecA expression.

scholarly journals Mechanistic analysis of a synthetic inhibitor of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasI quorum-sensing signal synthase

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Lidor ◽  
A. Al-Quntar ◽  
E. C. Pesci ◽  
D. Steinberg
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Virulence Determinants

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic Gram-negative pathogen responsible for many human infections. LasI is an acyl-homoserine lactone synthase that produces a quorum-sensing (QS) signal that positively regulates numerous P. aeruginosa virulence determinants. The inhibition of the LasI protein is therefore an attractive drug target. In this study, a novel in silico to in vitro complementation was applied to screen thiazolidinedione-type compounds for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation at concentrations not affecting bacterial growth. The compound (z)-5-octylidenethiazolidine-2, 4-dione (TZD-C8) was a strong inhibitor of biofilm formation and chosen for further study. Structural exploration of in silico docking predicted that the compound had high affinity for the LasI activity pocket. The TZD-C8 compound was also predicted to create hydrogen bonds with residues Arg30 and Ile107. Site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) of these two sites demonstrated that TZD-C8 inhibition was abolished in the lasI double mutant PAO-R30D, I107S. In addition, in vitro swarming motility and quorum sensing signal production were affected by TZD-C 8, confirming this compound alters the cell to cell signalling circuitry. Overall, this novel inhibitor of P. aeruginosa quorum sensing shows great promise and validates our mechanistic approach to discovering inhibitors of LuxI-type acyl-homoserine lactone synthases.

scholarly journals Functions Required for Extracellular Quinolone Signaling by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (23) ◽  
pp. 6472-6480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larry A. Gallagher ◽  
Susan L. McKnight ◽  
Marina S. Kuznetsova ◽  
Everett C. Pesci ◽  
Colin Manoil
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Biosynthetic Pathway ◽  
Extracellular Enzymes ◽  
Transcriptional Regulator ◽  
Transposon Mutagenesis ◽  
Sensing System ◽  
Quorum Sensing System

ABSTRACT A set of 30 mutants exhibiting reduced production of the phenazine poison pyocyanin were isolated following transposon mutagenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The mutants could be subdivided into those with defects in the primary phenazine biosynthetic pathway and those with more pleiotropic defects. The largest set of pleiotropic mutations blocked the production of the extracellular Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS), a molecule required for the synthesis of secondary metabolites and extracellular enzymes. Most of these pqs mutations affected genes which appear to encode PQS biosynthetic functions, although a transcriptional regulator and an apparent response effector were also represented. Two of the genes required for PQS synthesis (phnA and phnB) had previously been assumed to encode phenazine biosynthetic functions. The transcription of one of the genes required for PQS synthesis (PA2587/pqsH) was regulated by the LasI/R quorum-sensing system, thereby linking quorum sensing and PQS regulation. Others of the pleiotropic phenazine-minus mutations appear to inactivate novel components of the quorum-sensing regulatory network, including one regulator (np20) previously shown to be required for virulence in neutropenic mice.

scholarly journals RhlR Expression in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Is Modulated by the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal via PhoB-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (24) ◽  
pp. 8601-8606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Jensen ◽  
Dagmar Löns ◽  
Caroline Zaoui ◽  
Florian Bredenbruch ◽  
Andree Meissner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Phosphate Limitation ◽  
Environmental Cues ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Phosphate Availability ◽  
Pyocyanin Production ◽  
Phosphate Regulon

ABSTRACT The expression of virulence determinants in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is coordinately regulated in response to both the social environment—commonly referred to as quorum sensing—and to environmental cues. In this study we have dissected the various independent regulation levels for pyocyanin production, which is influenced by the homoserine lactone- and Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS)-mediated quorum-sensing systems as well as by iron and phosphate availability. We demonstrate that the phosphate regulon is involved in the transcriptional activation of rhlR and the augmentation of PQS and pyocyanin production under phosphate limitation. However, we also observed an enhancement of rhlR transcription under low-iron medium conditions and after the addition of PQS that was independent of the phosphate regulon. These results highlight the complexity of secondary metabolite production in P. aeruginosa via environmental cues and the quorum-sensing system.

scholarly journals Negative Control of Quorum Sensing by RpoN (σ54) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (7) ◽  
pp. 2227-2235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Heurlier ◽  
Valerie Dénervaud ◽  
Gabriella Pessi ◽  
Cornelia Reimmann ◽  
Dieter Haas
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Hydrogen Cyanide ◽  
Regulatory Gene ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Signal Molecules ◽  
Cell Densities ◽  
Global Regulatory Gene

ABSTRACT In Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, the expression of several virulence factors such as elastase, rhamnolipids, and hydrogen cyanide depends on quorum-sensing regulation, which involves the lasRI and rhlRI systems controlled by N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone and N-butyryl-l-homoserine lactone, respectively, as signal molecules. In rpoN mutants lacking the transcription factor σ54, the expression of the lasR and lasI genes was elevated at low cell densities, whereas expression of the rhlR and rhlI genes was markedly enhanced throughout growth by comparison with the wild type and the complemented mutant strains. As a consequence, the rpoN mutants had elevated levels of both signal molecules and overexpressed the biosynthetic genes for elastase, rhamnolipids, and hydrogen cyanide. The quorum-sensing regulatory protein QscR was not involved in the negative control exerted by RpoN. By contrast, in an rpoN mutant, the expression of the gacA global regulatory gene was significantly increased during the entire growth cycle, whereas another global regulatory gene, vfr, was downregulated at high cell densities. In conclusion, it appears that GacA levels play an important role, probably indirectly, in the RpoN-dependent modulation of the quorum-sensing machinery of P. aeruginosa.

scholarly journals Identification of Catechin as One of the Flavonoids from Combretum albiflorum Bark Extract That Reduces the Production of Quorum-Sensing-Controlled Virulence Factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

2009 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier M. Vandeputte ◽  
Martin Kiendrebeogo ◽  
Sanda Rajaonson ◽  
Billo Diallo ◽  
Adeline Mol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Bark Extract ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Virulence Factor Production

ABSTRACT Quorum-sensing (QS) regulates the production of key virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other important pathogenic bacteria. In this report, extracts of leaves and bark of Combretum albiflorum (Tul.) Jongkind (Combretaceae) were found to quench the production of QS-dependent factors in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Chromatographic fractionation of the crude active extract generated several active fractions containing flavonoids, as shown by their typical spectral features. Purification and structural characterization of one of the active compounds led to the identification of the flavan-3-ol catechin [(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol]. The identity of catechin as one of the active molecules was confirmed by comparing the high-pressure liquid chromatography profiles and the mass spectrometry spectra obtained for a catechin standard and for the active C. albiflorum fraction. Moreover, standard catechin had a significant negative effect on pyocyanin and elastase productions and biofilm formation, as well as on the expression of the QS-regulated genes lasB and rhlA and of the key QS regulatory genes lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR. The use of RhlR- and LasR-based biosensors indicated that catechin might interfere with the perception of the QS signal N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone by RhlR, thereby leading to a reduction of the production of QS factors. Hence, catechin, along with other flavonoids produced by higher plants, might constitute a first line of defense against pathogenic attacks by affecting QS mechanisms and thereby virulence factor production.

scholarly journals Novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum-Sensing Inhibitors Identified in an Ultra-High-Throughput Screen

2006 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 3674-3679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ute Müh ◽  
Martin Schuster ◽  
Roger Heim ◽  
Ashvani Singh ◽  
Eric R. Olson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Quorum Sensing ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogen ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Virulence Determinants ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Alkyl Tail

ABSTRACT The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has two complete acyl-homoserine lactone (acyl-HSL) signaling systems, LasR-LasI and RhlR-RhlI. LasI catalyzes the synthesis of N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL), and LasR is a transcription factor that requires 3OC12-HSL as a ligand. RhlI catalyzes the synthesis of N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4), and RhlR is a transcription factor that responds to C4. LasR and RhlR control the transcription of hundreds of P. aeruginosa genes, many of which are critical virulence determinants, and LasR is required for RhlR function. We developed an ultra-high-throughput cell-based assay to screen a library of approximately 200,000 compounds for inhibitors of LasR-dependent gene expression. Although the library contained a large variety of chemical structures, the two best inhibitors resembled the acyl-homoserine lactone molecule that normally binds to LasR. One compound, a tetrazole with a 12-carbon alkyl tail designated PD12, had a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 30 nM. The second compound, V-06-018, had an IC50 of 10 μM and is a phenyl ring with a 12-carbon alkyl tail. A microarray analysis showed that both compounds were general inhibitors of quorum sensing, i.e., the expression levels of most LasR-dependent genes were affected. Both compounds also inhibited the production of two quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors, elastase and pyocyanin. These compounds should be useful for studies of LasR-dependent gene regulation and might serve as scaffolds for the identification of new quorum-sensing modulators.

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