• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권11호
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• pp.1574-1582
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• 2014

Bacteria recognize changes in their population density by sensing the concentration of signal molecules, N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs). AHL-mediated quorum sensing (QS) plays a key role in biofilm formation, so the interference of QS, referred to as quorum quenching (QQ), has received a great deal of attention. A QQ strategy can be applied to membrane bioreactors (MBRs) for advanced wastewater treatment to control biofouling. To isolate QQ bacteria that can inhibit biofilm formation, we isolated diverse AHL-degrading bacteria from a laboratory-scale MBR and sludge from real wastewater treatment plants. A total of 225 AHL-degrading bacteria were isolated from the sludge sample by enrichment culture. Afipia sp., Acinetobacter sp. and Streptococcus sp. strains produced the intracellular QQ enzyme, whereas Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. produced the extracellular QQ enzyme. In case of Microbacterium sp. and Rhodococcus sp., AHL-degrading activities were detected in the whole-cell assay and Rhodococcus sp. showed AHL-degrading activity in cell-free lysate as well. There has been no report for AHL-degrading capability in the case of Streptococcus sp. and Afipia sp. strains. Finally, inhibition of biofilm formation by isolated QQ bacteria or enzymes was observed on glass slides and 96-well microtiter plates using crystal violet staining. QQ strains or enzymes not only inhibited initial biofilm development but also reduced established biofilms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.447-453
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• 2009

The quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors that antagonize TraR, a receptor protein for N-3-oxo-octanoyl-L-homoserine lactones (3-oxo-C8-HSL), a QS signal of Agrobacterium tumefaciens were developed. The structural analogues of 3-oxo-C8-HSL were designed by in silico molecular modeling using SYBYL packages, and synthesized by the solid phase organic synthesis (SPOS) method, where the carboxamide bond of 3-oxo-C8-HSL was replaced with a nicotinamide or a sulfonamide bond to make derivatives of N-nicotinyl-L-homoserine lactones or N-sulfonyl-L-homoserine lactones. The in vivo inhibitory activities of these compounds against QS signaling were assayed using reporter systems and compared with the estimated binding energies from the modeling study. This comparison showed fairly good correlation, suggesting that the in silico interpretation of ligand-receptor structures can be a valuable tool for the pre-design of better competitive inhibitors. In addition, these inhibitors also showed anti-biofilm activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2022

Bacteria communicate with each other through an intricate communication mechanism known as quorum sensing (QS). QS regulates different behavioral aspects in bacteria, such as biofilm formation, sporulation, virulence gene expression, antibiotic production, and bioluminescence. Several different chemical signals and signal detection systems play vital roles in promoting highly efficient intra- and interspecies communication. Gram-negative bacteria coordinate gene regulation through the production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). Gram-positive bacteria do not code for AHL production, while some gram-negative bacteria have an incomplete AHL-QS system. Despite this fact, these microbes can detect AHLs owing to the presence of LuxR solo receptors. Various studies have reported the role of AHLs in interspecies signaling. Moreover, as bacteria live in a polymicrobial community, the production of extracellular compounds to compete for resources is imperative. Thus, AHL-mediated signaling and inhibition are considered to affect virulence in bacteria. In the current review, we focus on the synthesis and regulation mechanisms of AHLs and highlight their role in interspecies bacterial signaling. Exploring interspecies bacterial signaling will further help us understand host-pathogen interactions, thereby contributing to the development of therapeutic strategies intended to target chronic polymicrobial infections.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제22권12호
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• pp.30.1-30.11
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• 2019

Marine natural products isolated from the sponge Fascaplysinopsis cf reticulata, in French Polynesia, were investigated as an alternative to antibiotics to control pathogens in aquaculture. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture is largely considered to be an environmental pollution, because it supports the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes within the aquatic environment. One environmentally friendly alternative to antibiotics is the use of quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs). Quorum sensing (QS) is a regulatory mechanism in bacteria which control virulence factors through the secretion of autoinducers (AIs), such as acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) in gram-negative bacteria. Vibrio harveyi QS is controlled through three parallel pathways: HAI-1, AI-2, and CAI-1. Bioassay-guided purification of F. cf reticulata extract was conducted on two bacterial species, i.e., Tenacibaculum maritimum and V. harveyi for antibiotic and QS inhibition bioactivities. Toxicity bioassay of fractions was also evaluated on the freshwater fish Poecilia reticulata and the marine fish Acanthurus triostegus. Cyclohexanic and dichloromethane fractions of F. cf reticulata exhibited QS inhibition on V. harveyi and antibiotic bioactivities on V. harveyi and T. maritimum, respectively. Palauolide (1) and fascaplysin (2) were purified as major molecules from the cyclohexanic and dichloromethane fractions, respectively. Palauolide inhibited QS of V. harveyi through HAI-1 QS pathway at 50 ㎍ ml^-1 (26 μM), while fascaplysin affected the bacterial growth of V. harveyi (50 ㎍ ml^-1) and T. maritimum (0.25 ㎍). The toxicity of fascaplysin-enriched fraction (FEF) was evaluated and exhibited a toxic effect against fish at 50 ㎍ ml^-1. This study demonstrated for the first time the QSI potential of palauolide (1). Future research may assess the toxicity of both the cyclohexanic fraction of the sponge and palauolide (1) on fish, to confirm their potential as alternative to antibiotics in fish farming.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권2_spc호
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• pp.337-345
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• 2024

Ruminants possess a specialized four-compartment forestomach, consisting of the reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen, the primary fermentative chamber, harbours a dynamic ecosystem comprising bacteria, protozoa, fungi, archaea, and bacteriophages. These microorganisms engage in diverse ecological interactions within the rumen microbiome, primarily benefiting the host animal by deriving energy from plant material breakdown. These interactions encompass symbiosis, such as mutualism and commensalism, as well as parasitism, predation, and competition. These ecological interactions are dependent on many factors, including the production of diverse molecules, such as those involved in quorum sensing (QS). QS is a density-dependent signalling mechanism involving the release of autoinducer (AIs) compounds, when cell density increases AIs bind to receptors causing the altered expression of certain genes. These AIs are classified as mainly being N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHL; commonly used by Gram-negative bacteria) or autoinducer-2 based systems (AI-2; used by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria); although other less common AI systems exist. Most of our understanding of QS at a gene-level comes from pure culture in vitro studies using bacterial pathogens, with much being unknown on a commensal bacterial and ecosystem level, especially in the context of the rumen microbiome. A small number of studies have explored QS in the rumen using 'omic' technologies, revealing a prevalence of AI-2 QS systems among rumen bacteria. Nevertheless, the implications of these signalling systems on gene regulation, rumen ecology, and ruminant characteristics are largely uncharted territory. Metatranscriptome data tracking the colonization of perennial ryegrass by rumen microbes suggest that these chemicals may influence transitions in bacterial diversity during colonization. The likelihood of undiscovered chemicals within the rumen microbial arsenal is high, with the identified chemicals representing only the tip of the iceberg. A comprehensive grasp of rumen microbial chemical signalling is crucial for addressing the challenges of food security and climate targets.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.571-582
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• 2020

Quorum sensing (QS)-mediated infections cause severe diseases in human beings. The control of infectious diseases by inhibiting QS using antipathogenic drugs is a promising approach as antibiotics are proving inefficient in treating these diseases. Marine fungal (Pestalotiopsis sydowiana PPR) extract was found to possess effective antipathogenic characteristics. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the fungal extract against test pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was 1,000 ㎍/ml. Sub-MIC concentrations (250 and 500 ㎍/ml) of fungal extract reduced QS-regulated virulence phenotypes such as the production of pyocyanin, chitinase, protease, elastase, and staphylolytic activity in P. aeruginosa PAO1 by 84.15%, 73.15%, 67.37%, 62.37%, and 33.65%, respectively. Moreover, it also reduced the production of exopolysaccharides (74.99%), rhamnolipids (68.01%), and alginate (54.98%), and inhibited the biofilm formation of the bacteria by 90.54%. In silico analysis revealed that the metabolite of P. sydowiana PPR binds to the bacterial QS receptor proteins (LasR and RhlR) similar to their respective natural signaling molecules. Cyclo(-Leu-Pro) (CLP) and 4-Hydroxyphenylacetamide (4-HPA) were identified as potent bioactive compounds among the metabolites of P. sydowiana PPR using in silico approaches. The MIC values of CLP and 4-HPA against P. aeruginosa PAO1 were determined as 250 and 125 ㎍/ml, respectively. All the antivirulence assays were conducted at sub-MIC concentrations of CLP (125 ㎍/ml) and 4-HPA (62.5 ㎍/ml), which resulted in marked reduction in all the investigated virulence factors. This was further supported by gene expression studies. The findings suggest that the metabolites of P. sydowiana PPR can be employed as promising QS inhibitors that target pathogenic bacteria.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

Pseudomonas aeruginosa는 기회 감염성 병원균으로, Cystic fibrosis, 미생물 감염성 각막염,화상 부위 2차 감염 등의 다양한 질병을 초래한다. 정족수 인식(쿼럼 센싱)이라고도 알려져 있는 세포간 신호전달 기전이 이러한 감염에서 중요한 역할을 하기 때문에 P. aeruginosa의 정족수 인식 시스템들이 집중적으로 연구되어 왔다. P. aeruginosa의 정족수 인식 시스템들을 소개하는 많은 문헌들이 주로 두 개의 주요 acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) 계열 정족수 신호물질들인 N-3-oxododecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12)과 N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4)에 초점을 맞추어 설명하고 있지만, 실제로는 몇 가지 새로운 신호물질들이 발견되어져 왔고, 그들이 P. aeruginosa의 병독성과 신호전달에 중요한 역할을 할 수 있음이 제안되어져 왔다. 그 중 하나가 PQS(Pseudomonas quinolone signal; 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone)인데, 이 물질은 현재 P. aeruginosa의 잘 규명된 주요 신호물질로 인식되고 있다. 이에 더하여, 최근의 연구들은 또 다른 가능성 있는 P. aeruginosa신호물질들을 제안해 왔는데, diketopiperazines (DKPs)과 pyocyanin이 그들이다. DKPs는 환형 dipeptide로써 이를 구성하는 아미노산의 종류에 따라 다양한 구조를 가진다. P. aeruginosa의 배양액에서 검출된 몇몇 DKPs들이 기존에는 AHL에만 특이적으로 반응한다고 알려졌던 Vibrio 랸�N갸 LuxR biosensor를 활성화 시킬 수 있다는 것이 발견되어 새로운 신호물질로 제안되었다. Pyocyanin (1-hydroxy-5-methyl-phenazine)은 P. aeruginosa가 생산하는 여러 phenazine 화합물들 중의 하나로써, 특징적인 청록색을 띄는 산화-환원 활성물질이다. 이 물질도 정체 성장기 동안 일부 정족수 인식의 조절을 받는 유전자들의 발현을 증가시키는 최종 신호 인자로 최근 제안되었으며, 그 신호는 또 다른 전사 조절 인자인 SoxR에 의해 매개된다고 제안되었다. 본 논문에서는 P. aeruginosa에서 새롭게 발견, 제안되고 있는 이들 신호 전달 물질들에 대해 자세히 다루어 보기로 한다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.357-366
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• 2015

쿼럼센싱은 세포 간의 의사소통 방법이며 박테리아의 병원성과 관련된 유전자들의 조절메커니즘이다. 박테리아는 다양한 생리학적 과정들을 제어하기 위해 이 쿼럼센싱 시스템을 활용한다. 본 연구에서 석류(Punica granatum L.) 껍질 추출물이 바이오 리포터 균주인 Chromobacterium violaceum 과 C. violaceum CV026에서 쿼럼센싱 억제능을 갖는 것으로 1차 선별되어 식중독균인 Y. enterocolitica에서 편모에 의한 운동능과 바이오필름형성 억제능에 대한 석류껍질 추출물의 효과에 대한 다음 실험을 수행하였다. 추가로 N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs)의 합성(yenI and yenR)과 편모 레귤론(fliA, fleB and flhDC) 에 관련된 특정유전자의 발현변화를 역전사 중합효소연쇄반응법으로 평가하였다. 결과는 석류껍질 추출물이 C. violaceum CV026에서 쿼럼센싱으로 제어되는 바이오레신 생산을 78.5%까지 억제하였으며, Y. enterocolitica에서는 세포의 성장에 영향을 주지 않고 바이오필름 형성과 편모 운동성을 현저히 감소시키는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 억제 효과는 AHLs의 합성과 운동성에 관여하는 유전자 발현을 down-regulation 하는 결과와도 일치하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 석류껍질 추출물의 임상 적용을 위하여 생체 내 특성에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요하다는 것뿐 아니라 석류껍질 추출물이 사람의 위장관염을 방지하기 위한 잠재적인 치료제가 될 수 있다는 것을 보여준다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.2104-2111
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• 2017

A new series comprising phenylacetyl-homoserine lactones (HSLs), caffeoyl-HSL and feruloyl-HSL, was biologically synthesized using an artificial de novo biosynthetic pathway. We developed an Escherichia coli system containing artificial biosynthetic pathways that yield phenylacetyl-HSLs from simple carbon sources. These artificial biosynthetic pathways contained the LuxI-type synthase gene (rpaI) in addition to caffeoyl-CoA and feruloyl-CoA biosynthetic genes, respectively. Finally, the yields for caffeoyl-HSL and feruloyl-HSL were $97.1{\pm}10.3$ and $65.2{\pm}5.7mg/l$, respectively, by tyrosine-overproducing E. coli with a $\text\tiny{L}$-methionine feeding strategy. In a quorum sensing (QS) competition assay, feruloyl-HSL and p-coumaroyl-HSL antagonized the QS receptor TraR in Agrobacterium tumefaciens NT1, whereas caffeoyl-HSL did not.

• 미생물학회지
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.240-247
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• 2010

그람음성 간균인 녹농균(Pseudomonas aeruginosa)은 비뇨기, 결막(conjunctiva), 호흡기(respiratory system), 화상부위 등에 광범위하게 감염하며, 병원성의 발현에 세균의 세포밀도 인식기전인 쿼럼 센싱이 매우 중요하다고 알려진 기회감염성 병원균이다. 국내의 환자들에게 감염하는 녹농균에서 쿼럼 센싱의 중요성을 알아보기 위해 부산 백병원의 환자들로부터 189종의 녹농균을 분리 동정하였다. 이 임상 균주들에서 쿼럼 센싱 신호 물질의 발현을 리포터 균주를 이용한 고체 배지 확산법으로 조사하였다. 전체 임상 균주의 79.4%가 녹농균 야생형균주와 비슷하게 쿼럼 센싱 조절의 가장 상위 신호인식-조절단백질인 LasR을 충분히 활성화 시키는 수준으로 쿼럼 신호물질을 생성하였다. 반면 4.2% 정도는 신호물질을 합성하지 못하는 녹농균 돌연변이주와 비슷하게 LasR을 활성화 시키지 못하는 수준으로 쿼럼 신호물질을 생성하였다. 한편, 전체의 72.5%가 또 다른 쿼럼 신호인식-조절 단백질인 QscR을 충분히 활성화 시킬 수 있는 야생형 수준으로 신호물질을 생성한 반면, 9%가 QscR을 활성화 시키지 못하는 수준으로 신호물질을 생성하였다. 임상 균주들 중 특히 녹농균 감염이 의심되는 환자들에게서 유래한 74종을 선정하여 병독인자로 중요한 프로테아제 활성을 조사한 결과, 44.6%에서 프로테아제 활성이 낮아져 있었으며, 12.2%에서는 프로테아제 활성이 관찰되지 않았다. 같은 균들을 대상으로 만성감염에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려진 생물막 형성 능력을 확인하였을 때, 대부분이 야생형보다 생물막 형성능력이 떨어져 있었다. 또한 이 균주들의 운동성을 살펴본 결과 많은 균주들이 swarming과 twitching 능력이 저해되어 있었으며(전체의 51.4%가 reduced swarming activity, 전체의 41.9%가 reduced twitching activity), 관찰되지 않는 수준의 균주도 상당부분 있었다(전체의 28.4%가 swarming negative, 전체의 28.4%가 twitching negative). 본 연구결과는 쿼럼 센싱을 정상적으로 하는 임상 균주들 중에서도 상당 부분은 프로테아제 생성, 생물막 형성, 운동성 등의 특징들이 저해될 수 있음을 의미하며, 일부 임상 균주들은 그들의 쿼럼 활성과는 상관관계가 없는 독특한 패턴의 프로테아제 생성능과 생물막 형성능 및 운동성을 보여주고 있음을 확인하였다.