Communications blackout? Do N-acylhomoserine-lactone-degrading enzymes have any role in quorum sensing?
A number of bacteria, including some significant pathogens, utilize N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) as quorum sensing signals. There is considerable interest in the therapeutic potential of disrupting quorum sensing. Recently, a number of bacteria have been identified which are capable of enzymic inactivation of AHLs. These enzymes show considerable promise as 'quenchers' of quorum sensing. However, the assumption that the natural function of these enzymes is to disrupt or modulate quorum sensing has yet to be established. This review surveys the progress made to date in this field and examines what implications these findings have for our understanding of the role played by these enzymes in vivo.
Roche
Declan M
DM
Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
Byers
Joseph T
JT
Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
Smith
Debra S
DS
Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
Glansdorp
Freija G
FG
Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
Spring
David R
DR
Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK.
Welch
Martin
M
Department of Biochemistry, Cambridge University, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QW, UK.
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism*; D000581:Amidohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D015398:Signal Transduction
C088386:homoserine lactone; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C432003:N-acyl homoserine lactonase; D000581:Amidohydrolases; C019665:amidase; D015107:4-Butyrolactone