title: Inhibition of swarming and virulence factor expression in Proteus mirabilis by resveratrol.
abstract: Resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a phytoalexin compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The effect of resveratrol on swarming and virulence factor expression of Proteus mirabilis, an important pathogen infecting the urinary tract, was determined on swarming agar plates with and without the compound. Bacteria harvested at different times were assayed for cell length and the production of flagella, haemolysin and urease. Resveratrol inhibited P. mirabilis swarming and virulence factor expression in a dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol significantly inhibited swarming at 15 microg ml(-1), and completely inhibited swarming at 60 microg ml(-1). Inhibition of swarming and virulence factor expression was mediated through RsbA, a His-containing phosphotransmitter of the bacterial two-component signalling system possibly involved in quorum sensing. Complementation of an rsbA-defective mutant with the rsbA gene restored its responsiveness to resveratrol. The compound also inhibited the ability of P. mirabilis to invade human urothelial cells. These findings suggest that resveratrol has potential to be developed as an antimicrobial agent against P. mirabilis infection.
authors.forename: Won-Bo
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hsin-Chih
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Po-Ren
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hsueh
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Robin Y-Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shwu-Bin
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shwu-Jen
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Liaw
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005816:Genetic Complementation Test; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D009154:Mutation; D011513:Proteus mirabilis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C116143:RsbA protein, Proteus mirabilis; D013267:Stilbenes; D037521:Virulence Factors; D000077185:Resveratrol