微生物群体感应抑制剂及其在海洋生态中的应用

微生物具有结构多样性和功能多样性,其生态行为受多种信号因子的调节,其一便是群体感应信号(Quorum sensing,QS)。QS可作为菌群的通讯语言调节多种生物学功能,包括微生物被膜(Biofilm)的形成、毒力因子的表达、抗生素的分泌以及活性物质的生成等。相比之下,群体感应抑制剂(Quorum sensing inhibitor,QSI)的作用与QS相反,它能阻断QS信号的合成或传递、降低细菌致病性、干扰Biofilm的生成、阻断QS级联效应,因而被广泛应用于医药、农业和环境等领域。本文聚焦QSI,对其来源、特性、作用机制的最新进展进行总结,并对其在海洋生态领域上的应用进行综述,以期为QSI物质的开发和海洋生态资源的有效利用提供新思路。

Advances in microbial quorum sensing inhibitors and their application in marine ecological field

Microbes own structural diversity and functional diversity, and their ecological behavior is regulated by various signal molecules. Among the signal factors, a most typical one is quorum sensing (QS). QS is a form of intercellular communication within microbial populations and occurs in a density-dependent manner. QS substance can result in down-stream changes in gene regulation and modulation of bioluminescence, virulence, biofilm formation and secondary metabolite production. Corresponding to QS, quorum sensing inhibitors (QSI) has also gradually been noticed in recent years. Previously, QSI is widely applied in medicine, agriculture and environmental sectors. They can exhibit multiple biological functions by regulate QS signal, such as reducing bacterial pathogenicity, interfering biofilm formation, blocking signal receptors and influencing QS-based cascading effects. We reviewed the latest advances of QSI, including their sources, properties, and mechanisms of action. In addition, the ecological applications of QSI in aquaculture, marine antifouling, sewage treatment and marine drug development have also been discussed, to supply novel strategies for developing QSI compounds. We provide herewith a reference for readers to understand QSI roles and using marine source more efficiently.