title: Influence of polyphenols on bacterial biofilm formation and quorum-sensing.
abstract: Many bacteria utilize sophisticated regulatory systems to ensure that some functions are only expressed when a particular population density has been reached. The term 'quorum-sensing' has been coined to describe this form of density-dependent gene regulation which relies on the production and perception of small signal molecules by bacterial cells. As in many pathogenic bacteria the production of virulence factors is quorum-sensing regulated, it has been suggested that this form of gene regulation allows the bacteria to remain invisible to the defence systems of the host until the population is sufficiently large to successfully establish the infection. Here we present first evidence that polyphenolic compounds can interfere with bacterial quorum-sensing. Since polyphenols are widely distributed in the plant kingdom, they may be important for promoting plant fitness.
authors.affiliation: Department für Biowissenschaftliche Grundlagen, Lehrstuhl für Mikrobiologie, Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan (WZW) der TU München, Am Hochanger 4, D-85350 Freising, Germany.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eberl
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Feucht
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Polster
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D016956:Burkholderia cepacia / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D016958:Pseudomonas putida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D047348:Hydrolyzable Tannins; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate