title: A complex LuxR-LuxI type quorum sensing network in a roseobacterial marine sponge symbiont activates flagellar motility and inhibits biofilm formation.
abstract: Bacteria isolated from marine sponges, including the Silicibacter-Ruegeria (SR) subgroup of the Roseobacter clade, produce N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing signal molecules. This study is the first detailed analysis of AHL quorum sensing in sponge-associated bacteria, specifically Ruegeria sp. KLH11, from the sponge Mycale laxissima. Two pairs of luxR and luxI homologues and one solo luxI homologue were identified and designated ssaRI, ssbRI and sscI (sponge-associated symbiont locus A, B and C, luxR or luxI homologue). SsaI produced predominantly long-chain 3-oxo-AHLs and both SsbI and SscI specified 3-OH-AHLs. Addition of exogenous AHLs to KLH11 increased the expression of ssaI but not ssaR, ssbI or ssbR, and genetic analyses revealed a complex interconnected arrangement between SsaRI and SsbRI systems. Interestingly, flagellar motility was abolished in the ssaI and ssaR mutants, with the flagellar biosynthesis genes under strict SsaRI control, and active motility only at high culture density. Conversely, ssaI and ssaR mutants formed more robust biofilms than wild-type KLH11. AHLs and the ssaI transcript were detected in M. laxissima extracts, suggesting that AHL signalling contributes to the decision between motility and sessility and that it may also facilitate acclimation to different environments that include the sponge host.
authors: Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA.
authors: Jindong
authors: J
authors: Zan
authors: Elisha M
authors: EM
authors: Cicirelli
authors: Naglaa M
authors: NM
authors: Mohamed
authors: Hiruy
authors: H
authors: Sibhatu
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Kroll
authors: Okhee
authors: O
authors: Choi
authors: Ohkee
authors: O
authors: Choi
authors: Charis L
authors: CL
authors: Uhlson
authors: Christina L
authors: CL
authors: Wysoczynski
authors: Christina L
authors: CL
authors: Wysoczinski
authors: Robert C
authors: RC
authors: Murphy
authors: Mair E A
authors: ME
authors: Churchill
authors: Russell T
authors: RT
authors: Hill
authors: Clay
authors: C
authors: Fuqua
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011161:Porifera / Q000382:microbiology*; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D041904:Roseobacter / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C088386:homoserine lactone; D015107:4-Butyrolactone