Direct quantitation of the quorum sensing signal, autoinducer-2, in clinically relevant samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Quorum Sensing is a type of bacterial cell-to-cell signaling that allows for cell density dependent regulation of gene expression. Many of the behaviors mediated by quorum sensing are critical for bacterial colonization or infection, and autoinducer-2 has been proposed as a universal interspecies signaling molecule that allows multispecies colonies of bacteria, e.g., biofilms or dental plaque, to behave as pseudomulticellular organisms. However, the direct detection of autoinducer-2 has been difficult, leaving the in vivo relevance of this signal in question. Herein we report a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric technique that enables reproducible, quantitative, and sensitive measurement of the concentration of autoinducer-2 from a variety of sources. This technique was applied to the detection of autoinducer-2 from Escherichia coli and Vibrio harveyi in proof-of-concept studies and was then used to directly measure the concentration of the signal produced by oral bacteria in human saliva.
Campagna
Shawn R
SR
Department of Chemistry, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, USA. campagna@ion.chem.utk.edu
Gooding
Jessica R
JR
May
Amanda L
AL
D018441:Biofilms; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000502:physiology; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis*; D053038:Quorum Sensing; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015398:Signal Transduction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D014733:Vibrio / Q000502:physiology
D007783:Lactones; C091088:N-octanoylhomoserine lactone; D006714:Homoserine