Alkaloids modulate motility, biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility of uropathogenic Escherichia coli.
Alkaloid-containing natural compounds have shown promise in the treatment of microbial infections. However, practical application of many of these compounds is pending a mechanistic understanding of their mode of action. We investigated the effect of two alkaloids, piperine (found in black pepper) and reserpine (found in Indian snakeroot), on the ability of the uropathogenic bacterium Escherichia coli CFT073 to colonize abiotic surfaces. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of both compounds (0.5 to 10 µg/mL) decreased bacterial swarming and swimming motilities and increased biofilm formation. qRT-PCR revealed a decrease in the expression of the flagellar gene (fliC) and motility genes (motA and motB) along with an increased expression of adhesin genes (fimA, papA, uvrY). Interestingly, piperine increased penetration of the antibiotics ciprofloxacin and azithromycin into E. coli CFT073 biofilms and consequently enhanced the ability of these antibiotics to disperse pre-established biofilms. The findings suggest that these alkaloids can potentially affect bacterial colonization by hampering bacterial motility and may aid in the treatment of infection by increasing antibiotic penetration in biofilms.
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Devendra H
DH
Dusane
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Zeinab
Z
Hosseinidoust
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Bahareh
B
Asadishad
Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nathalie
N
Tufenkji
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D052117:Benzodioxoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005407:Flagella / Q000378:metabolism; D005408:Flagellin; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012110:Reserpine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D056689:Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*
D018829:Adhesins, Bacterial; D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D052117:Benzodioxoles; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C516095:FliC protein, E coli; D010880:Piperidines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D005408:Flagellin; D012110:Reserpine; C008922:piperine