Functional quorum sensing systems affect biofilm formation and protein expression in Yersinia pestis.
Gram-negative bacteria predominantly use two types of quorum sensing (QS) systems--LuxI-LuxR, responsible for synthesis of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL or AI-1 signal molecule), and LuxS, which makes furanones (AI-2 signal molecule). We showed that LuxS and two LuxI-LuxR (YtbIR and YpsIR) systems are functional in Y. pestis. Four different AHL molecules were detected in Y. pestis extracts using TLC bioassays. Our data suggest that YtbIR is responsible for the production of long chain AHLs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that biofilm formation is decreased in an ytbIR ypsIR luxS mutant. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed altered levels of protein expression in a Y. pestis triple QS mutant at 26 degrees C and 37 degrees C.
Bobrov
Alexander G
AG
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. bobrov@uky.edu
Bearden
Scott W
SW
Fetherston
Jacqueline D
JD
Khweek
Arwa Abu
AA
Parrish
Kenneth D
KD
Perry
Robert D
RD
D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007763:Lac Operon; D007783:Lactones; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D015010:Yersinia pestis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007783:Lactones; C091088:N-octanoylhomoserine lactone; D006714:Homoserine; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases; C117753:LuxS protein, Bacteria