title: Novel linear polymers able to inhibit bacterial quorum sensing.
abstract: Bacterial phenotypes, such as biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance and virulence expression, are associated with quorum sensing. Quorum sensing is a density-dependent regulatory system of gene expression controlled by specific signal molecules, such as N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), produced and released by bacteria. This study reports the development of linear polymers capable to attenuate quorum sensing by adsorption of AHLs. Linear polymers were synthesized using MMA as backbone monomer and methacrylic acid and itaconic acid as functional monomers. Two different quorum sensing-controlled phenotypes, Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence and Aeromonas hydrophila biofilm formation, were evaluated to test the polymers' efficiency. Results showed that both phenotypes were significantly affected by the polymers, with the itaconic acid-containing material being more effective than the methacrylic acid one. The polymer inhibitory effects were reverted by the addition of lactones, confirming attenuation of quorum sensing through sequestration of signal molecules. The polymers also showed no cytotoxicity when tested using a mammalian cell line.
authors: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.|Centre for Biomedical Engineering, SATM, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, UK.
authors: Eliana
authors: E
authors: Cavaleiro
authors: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal. asduarte@ua.pt.
authors: Ana Sofia
authors: AS
authors: Duarte
authors: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors: Ana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: Esteves
authors: Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.
authors: António
authors: A
authors: Correia
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Whitcombe
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors: Elena V
authors: EV
authors: Piletska
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
authors: Sergey A
authors: SA
authors: Piletsky
authors: Centre for Biomedical Engineering, SATM, Cranfield University, Cranfield, Beds, UK.
authors: Iva
authors: I
authors: Chianella
mesh_terms: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones / Q000737:chemistry; D016980:Aeromonas hydrophila / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D000818:Animals; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D049449:Luminescence; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D010641:Phenotype; D058105:Polymerization; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053038:Quorum Sensing / Q000187:drug effects*; D014709:Vero Cells; D014733:Vibrio / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D054742:Acyl-Butyrolactones; D011108:Polymers
keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila; Vibrio fischeri; copolymers; quorum sensing