Modulation of quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through alteration of membrane properties.
Changes in the cellular envelope are major physiological adaptations that occur when micro-organisms encounter extreme environmental conditions. An appropriate degree of membrane fluidity is crucial for survival, and alteration of membrane lipids is an essential adaptive response. Emerging data suggest that microbial cells may recognize alterations in their membrane viscosity resulting from certain environmental changes as a trigger for adaptive cellular responses. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the quorum-sensing (QS) system involves a complex regulatory circuitry that coordinates the expression of genes according to a critical population density. Interestingly, it has been shown that the QS system of P. aeruginosa can also be activated by nutritional stress, independently of the cell density, and therefore may be part of a more general adaptive response to stressful environmental conditions. In order to examine the proposed link between membrane properties and stress signalling, the effects of genetically engineered alterations of the membrane phospholipid composition of P. aeruginosa PAO1 on the activation of the stringent response and the QS system were examined. The lptA gene encoding a functional homologue of PlsC, an Escherichia coli enzyme that catalyses the second step of the phospholipid biosynthesis pathway, was identified and disrupted. Inactivation of lptA altered the fatty acid profile of phospholipids and the membrane properties, resulting in decreased membrane fluidity. This resulted in a premature production of the QS signals N-butanoyl- and N-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL and C6-HSL) and a repression of 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (PQS) synthesis at later growth phases. The effects on C4- and C6-HSL depended upon the expression of relA, encoding the (p)ppGpp alarmone synthase, which was increased in the lptA mutant. Together, the findings support the concept that alterations in membrane properties can act as a trigger for stress-related gene expression.
Baysse
Christine
C
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Cullinane
Méabh
M
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Dénervaud
Valérie
V
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Burrowes
Elizabeth
E
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Dow
J Maxwell
JM
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Morrissey
John P
JP
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
Tam
Ling
L
Department of Environmental Biology, Rm 3220 Bovey Building, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.
Trevors
Jack T
JT
Department of Environmental Biology, Rm 3220 Bovey Building, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1.
O'Gara
Fergal
F
BIOMERIT Research Centre, Microbiology Department, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland.
D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D008245:Lysophospholipase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015363:Quinolones / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D015363:Quinolones; D000217:Acyltransferases; D008245:Lysophospholipase; C021782:lysophospholipase-transacylase