title: Isolation and characterization of quorum-sensing signalling molecules in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates recovered from nosocomial infections.
abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common pathogens in nosocomial infections. Many studies have documented the role of quorum-sensing (QS) systems in antibiotic tolerance of P. aeruginosa. N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) serve as QS signalling molecules and can be a target for modulating bacterial pathogenicity. In this study, nosocomial isolates of P. aeruginosa were characterized for the presence of different types of QS signalling molecules. AHLs were solvent extracted and quantified by determination of β-galactosidase activity using the Escherichia coli MG4 reporter strain. Further characterization was performed by analytical thin layer chromatography coupled with detection using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens A136 biosensor strain. All P. aeruginosa isolates produced AHLs, but there were differences in the quantity and nature of AHLs. We identified AHLs belonging to C4-homoserine lactone (HSL), C6-HSL, C8-HSL, C10-HSL and C12-HSL. AHL profiling of P. aeruginosa isolates showed differences in the amounts and types of AHLs, suggesting differences in the virulence factors and the potential for infection. Our results may be investigated further using animal model systems.
authors: Deparment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
authors: Krishnappa
authors: K
authors: Lakshmana Gowda
authors: James
authors: J
authors: John
authors: Mohammed A M
authors: MA
authors: Marie
authors: Gopalkrishnan
authors: G
authors: Sangeetha
authors: Shanta Range
authors: SR
authors: Bindurani
mesh_terms: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016960:Agrobacterium tumefaciens / Q000235:genetics; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D006801:Humans; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000235:genetics*; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones; D037521:Virulence Factors; D001616:beta-Galactosidase
keywords: N-acyl homoserine lactones; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; nosocomial infection; quorum-sensing molecules; β-galactosidase