Synthetic bromated furanone inhibits autoinducer-2-mediated communication and biofilm formation in oral streptococci.
BACKGROUND
Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is a widespread communication-signal molecule that allows bacteria to sense and react to environmental factors. In some streptococci AI-2 is reported to be involved in virulence expression and biofilm formation. It has earlier been shown that the alga Delisea pulchra produces bromated furanones, which prevent bacterial colonization of the algae.


RESULTS
We have previously published a novel and simple synthesis of (Z)-5-bromomethylene-2(5H)-furanone. In this study we showed that our synthesized furanone inhibited biofilm formation and bioluminescence induction by Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus intermedius, and Streptococcus mutans, as well as bioluminescence induction by Vibrio harveyi BB152.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that the effect is linked to interference with the AI-2 signaling pathway because adding furanone to the medium had no effect on the ability of the AI-2-defective S. anginosus luxS and S. intermedius luxS mutants to form biofilms.
Lönn-Stensrud
J
J
Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. jessiclo@odont.uio.no
Petersen
F C
FC
Benneche
T
T
Scheie
A Aamdal
AA
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D005663:Furans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D049449:Luminescence; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D034366:Streptococcus anginosus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D034367:Streptococcus intermedius / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects