凡纳滨对虾源不动杆菌群体感应信号分子分离鉴定及其调控

【目的】鉴定凡纳滨对虾源不动杆菌(Acinetobacter spp.M1)分泌的N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(AHLs)类型,探究细菌生长阶段及环境因素对其分泌信号分子的影响。【方法】报告菌株平板法检测M1的AHLs的活性;采用报告平板与薄层层析(TLC)相结合法对M1分泌的AHLs类型进行鉴定。【结果】菌株M1分泌N-3-氧代-己酰基-高丝氨酸内酯和N-3-氧代-辛酰基-高丝氨酸内酯两种信号分子。在适宜条件下AHLs活性随着培养时间的延长先升高后降低,在对数末期(30 h)达到最大。弱酸和弱碱环境能够降低M1分泌AHLs的能力,p H 7.0是M1分泌AHLs的最适p H。较高浓度的Na Cl促进了个体M1分泌AHLs的能力,但是Na Cl浓度对M1总体分泌AHLs没有显著的影响。菌株M1分泌AHLs的最佳温度为30°C,温度过高或过低都会影响其分泌。【结论】菌株M1主要产生N-3-氧代-己酰基-高丝氨酸内酯和N-3-氧代-辛酰基-高丝氨酸内酯两种类型信号分子。M1的QS系统受菌体密度和环境因素的双重调控。     

细菌群体感应信号分子N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯的检测

群体感应是细菌生长到一定密度时相互感应,并进行基因表达及调控产生的独特、多样的群体行为现象。N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(AHL)类化合物是革兰阴性菌群体感应中最重要的一类信号分子,调控许多生理特性基因的表达。快速、简便、有效地检测细菌能否产生AHL或产生何种信号分子,成为深入研究和了解细菌群体感应的重要手段。我们就细菌群体感应信号分子AHL检测的基本原理和方法及国内外研究进展进行了总结。     

枯草芽孢杆菌SS6N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因的克隆表达及其酶学特性

摘要:【目的】从一株具有细菌群体感应(Quorum Sensing,QS)信号分子淬灭活性的枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis) SS6中扩增N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶(N-acylhomoserine lactonase,AiiA)基因aiiASS6并异源表达,研究此信号降解酶的酶学特性。【方法】设计特异性引物,从B.subtilis SS6中克隆N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因aiiASS6,测序并进行生物信息学分析;将此基因克隆到表达载体pET28(a),构建重组菌株并提纯目的蛋白AiiASS6;然后用高效液相色谱(high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)分析目的蛋白AiiASS6降解QS信号分子N-(3-Oxooctanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (OOHL)的酶学特性。【结果】克隆得到基因片段,命名为 aiiASS6 (GenBank: KP125494),其编码一条含有297氨基酸残基的多肽,用pET28(a)成功构建重组质粒pET28-aiiASS6。生物信息学分析表明,AiiASS6的氨基酸序列含有N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶典型的“HXHXDH”基序和194 位的Tyr残基。在Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)中异源表达AiiASS6,用Ni柱纯化后,AiiASS6含量达2.76 mg/mL。HPLC检测结果表明AiiASS6对OOHL具有很强的催化活性及耐热性,Km和Vmax分别为0.998 mmol/L和22.3 U/mg,最适pH为7.6,最适温度范围为50－90℃;此酶在4℃保存3个月后其残余活性仍达到86%,表现出较强的稳定性。【结论】从B．subtilis SS6中获得的QS淬灭酶AiiASS6表现出降解QS信号分子的高活性,其酶学特性表明它具有作为微生物制剂防控植物或水产养殖中基于QS调控的病原菌毒力的应用潜力。     

一株降解N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酵母菌菌株的分离鉴定及其降解特性

利用N酰基高丝氨酸内酯(N-acyl-homoserine lactone,简称AHL)为唯一碳源和能源,筛选得到一株能够降解AHL的菌株R1。常规鉴定和18S rDNA序列分析表明,菌株R1属于红冬孢酵母菌(Rhodosporidium toruloides),定名为R.toruloidesR1。结果显示R.toruloidesR1能利用所测试的3种AHL作为唯一碳源和能源生长,具有降解AHL的能力,其对AHL依赖型胡萝卜欧文氏软腐病菌(Erwinia carotovora subsp.carotovora)的致病有一定的抑制作用。     

定点突变提高N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶酶活和温度稳定性

【目的】提高N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶(N-acylhomoserine lactonase,AiiA)酶活及温度稳定性。【方法】本研究基于AiiA同源蛋白的三维结构对AiiA进行定点突变,分析野生型AiiA及其突变蛋白酶活和温度稳定性。【结果】野生型AiiA较不稳定,在45℃下温浴30 min,或4℃储存5 d后均失去降解N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(N-acylhomoserine lactone,AHL)的活性。但是突变AiiA蛋白(N65K,T195R和A206E)的酶活力较野生型AiiA均提高了20%以上,且4℃储存时间延长到7 d。此外,突变株N65K比野生型AiiA对高温具有更强的耐受性,在45℃温浴后剩余酶活力达到45%以上,55℃温浴30 min后仍保留5.0%的酶活力。【结论】通过定点突变改造AiiA蛋白结构,提升了AiiA蛋白的酶活和温度稳定性。     

3-羰基辛酰基高丝氨酸内酯诱导拟南芥根细胞Ca~（2＋）内流

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯（AHLs）是革兰氏阴性细菌群体感应系统（QS）中的胞间通讯信号分子。近年的研究表明AHLs可以调控植物生长发育及防卫反应,但其调控机制尚不清楚。本研究以拟南芥为材料,采用3-羰基辛酰基高丝氨酸内酯（3OC8-HSL）处理转水母发光蛋白基因的拟南芥幼根细胞,利用冷光仪检测3OC8-HSL对拟南芥根细胞中胞质游离Ca2＋浓度（[Ca2＋]cyt）变化的影响,同时采用Ca2＋专一性螯合剂EGTA和Ca2＋通道抑制剂预处理转基因拟南芥根细胞,用全细胞膜片钳技术分析3OC8-HSL诱导拟南芥根细胞中[Ca2＋]cyt升高的Ca2＋来源。结果表明,3OC8-HSL可诱导拟南芥根细胞中[Ca2＋]cyt瞬时升高。这种诱导效应可被EGTA、异搏定（verapamil）、LaCl3所抑制,但LiCl预处理对这种诱导效应无影响。膜片钳分析结果显示,3OC8-HSL可激活质膜Ca2＋通道,增加胞外Ca2＋内流。说明细菌AHLs可诱导植物Ca2＋信号产生,且这种Ca2＋信号主要源于胞外Ca2＋内流,暗示Ca2＋信使系统参与植物对细菌QS信号的响应。     

芽孢杆菌酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因的克隆及表达

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(N—acyl—homoserine hctones．AHLs)作为细菌群体应答系统(Quorum—sensing)中的关键信号分子,其浓度是决定许多动、植物病原菌致病基因的表达的关键因子,酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因可以水解AHk丹子的内酯键,使．MILs失去生物活性,从而减弱致病菌的危害．该研究旨在从芽孢杆菌中克隆酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因并获得纯化蛋白。根据已知酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因的保守序列设计引物,利用PCR方法从2株芽孢杆菌的基因组DNA中克隆出阿个基因SS1和SS10。利用在基因库中进行同源比对．结果表明SS1和SS10编码的蛋白产物SS1和SS10均为酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶。将两个基因在大肠杆菌中诱导表达,通过亲和层析获得了纯化蛋白。     

细菌群体感应信号分子——酰基高丝氨酸内酯的检测

革兰氏阴性菌根据信号分子N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯(AHLs)的浓度可以监测周围环境中自身或其他细菌的数量变化,当信号分子达到一定浓度阈值时,能启动相关基因的表达来适应环境的变化,这一调控系统被称为细菌的群体感应(quorumsensing,QS)系统。快速简便而有效地检测细菌是否以及产生何种信号分子成为深入研究和了解细菌群体感应的重要手段。现对信号分子AHLs敏感的用于检测不同的信号分子AHLs的微生物传感菌进行综述,并对其检测能力进行了讨论。     

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶的分子改造及酶学特性

革兰氏阴性细菌的群体感应系统利用N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯（N-acyl-homoserine lactone, AHL）作为主要信号分子诱导致病因子表达,造成细菌性病害. N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶（N-acyl-homoserine lactonase, AHLase）能水解AHL分子的内酯键,减弱致病菌的危害.本研究利用从苏云金芽孢杆菌克隆的N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯酶基因（auto inducer inactivation A, aiiA）,根据Swiss-model模拟aiiA所编码的AiiA蛋白三维结构,预测可能形成的分子内盐桥、活性中心位点等,利用环状诱变方法对AiiA进行定点突变,以期提高其酶活力和热稳定性等酶学性能.对AiiA及其突变蛋白酶学特性分析结果发现,突变体AiiA-N65K-A206E酶活力要比野生型AiiA-wild提高87.4%,并表现出良好的热稳定性和储存稳定性;37 ℃温浴30 min后酶活力剩余73;9%,比AiiA-wild有了大幅提高;4 ℃储存120 h后酶活力剩余12.9%,而AiiA-wild丧失酶活力.酶动力学分析表明,AiiA-N65K-A206E酶促反应的米氏常数Km为1.23 mmol/L,与野生型相当;最大反应速率Vmax为32.36 μmol/L/min,比野生型有较大提高.本研究表明,利用定点突变技术改造AiiA的分子结构,可有效提升AiiA酶活力、热稳定性和储存稳定性.本研究结果为进一步阐明AiiA结构与功能的关系,促进AiiA在植物病害生物防治上的应用,提供了有益的参考和新的思路.     

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯调控植物生长发育的研究进展

植物与细菌之间存在着复杂的相互作用关系。N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯（AHLs）是革兰氏阴性细菌进行胞间通讯的信号分子,也是介导植物与细菌互作的重要信号分子,在调控植物生长发育方面起着重要作用。本文对近年来的相关研究进展作一综述,这将有助于全面了解植物与细菌间的信息交流机制,并对实际农业生产具有指导意义。     

Oryza sativa rice plants contain molecules that activate different quorum-sensing N-acyl homoserine lactone biosensors and are sensitive to the specific AiiA lactonase

Gram-negative bacteria most often use N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as intercellular quorum-sensing signal molecules. In this study, it was demonstrated that rice plants contain AHL mimic molecules that are very sensitive to the highly specific AiiA lactonase enzyme and can activate three different AHL bacterial biosensors, indicating that the compounds have a homoserine lactone structure and could be AHLs. The possible source and biological significance of this finding are discussed.     

N-acylhomoserine lactonase producing Rhodococcus spp. with different AHL-degrading activities

N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) are conserved signal molecules that control diverse biological activities in quorum sensing system of Gram-negative bacteria. Recently, several soil bacteria were found to degrade AHLs, thereby interfering with the quorum sensing system. Previously, Rhodococcus erythropolis W2 was reported to degrade AHLs by both oxido-reductase and AHL-acylase. In the present study, two AHL-utilizing bacteria, strains LS31 and PI33, were isolated and identified as the genus Rhodococcus. They exhibited different AHL-utilization abilities: Rhodococcus sp. strain LS31 rapidly degraded a wide range of AHLs, including N-3-oxo-hexanoyl-l-homoserine lactone (OHHL), whereas Rhodococcus sp. strain PI33 showed relatively less activity towards 3-oxo substituents. Coculture of strain LS31 with Erwinia carotovora effectively reduced the amount of OHHL and pectate lyase activity, compared with coculture of strain PI33 with E. carotovora. A mass spectrometry analysis indicated that both strains hydrolyzed the lactone ring of AHL to generate acylhomoserine, suggesting that AHL-lactonases (AHLases) from the two Rhodococcus strains are involved in the degradation of AHL, in contrast to R. erythropolis W2. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on AHLases of Rhodococcus spp.     

Degradation of N-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing signal molecules by forest root-associated fungi

A collection of mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal root-associated fungi coming from forest environments was screened for their ability to degrade N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHL) or to prevent AHL recognition by producing quorum sensing inhibitors (QSI). No production of QS-inhibitors or -activators was detected using the two biosensors Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in the culture supernatant of these fungi. However, the ability to degrade C6- and 3O,C6-HSL was detected for three fungal isolates. Acidification assay revealed that the AHL were degraded by a lactonase activity for two of these isolates. These results demonstrated for the first time that the forest root-associated fungi are capable of degrading the AHL signal molecules.     

N-acyl homoserine lactone-degrading microbial enrichment cultures isolated from Penaeus vannamei shrimp gut and their probiotic properties in Brachionus plicatilis cultures

Three bacterial enrichment cultures (ECs) were isolated from the digestive tract of Pacific white shrimp Penaeus vannamei, by growing the shrimp microbial communities in a mixture of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules. The ECs, characterized by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis and subsequent rRNA sequencing, degraded AHL molecules in the degradation assays. Apparently, the resting cells of the ECs also degraded one of the three types of quorum-sensing signal molecules produced by Vibrio harveyi in vitro [i.e. harveyi autoinducer 1 (HAI-1)]. The most efficient AHL-degrading ECs, EC5, was tested in Brachionus experiments. EC5 degraded the V. harveyi HAI-1 autoinducer in vivo, neutralizing the negative effect of V. harveyi autoinducer 2 (AI-2) mutant, in which only the HAI-1- and CAI-1-mediated components of the quorum-sensing system are functional on the growth of Brachionus. This suggests that EC5 interferes with HAI-1-regulated metabolism in V. harveyi. These AHL-degrading ECs need to be tested in other aquatic systems for their probiotic properties, preferably in combination with specific AI-2-degrading bacteria.     

Quorum-sensing system in Acinetobacter baumannii: a potential target for new drug development

Acinetobacter baumannii causes several nosocomial infections and poses major threat when it is multidrug resistant. Even pan drug-resistant strains have been reported in some countries. The intensive care unit (ICU) mortality rate ranged from 45.6% to 60.9% and it is as high as 84.3% when ventilator-associated pneumonia was caused by XDR (extensively drug resistant) A. baumannii. Acinetobacter baumannii constituted 9.4% of all Gram-negative organisms throughout the hospital and 22.6% in the ICUs according to a study carried out in an Indian hospital. One of the major factors contributing to drug resistance in A. baumannii infections is biofilm development. Quorum sensing (QS) facilitates biofilm formation and therefore the search for ‘quorum quenchers’ has increased recently. Such compounds are expected to inhibit biofilm formation and hence reduce/prevent development of drug resistance in the bacteria. Some of these compounds also target synthesis of some virulence factors (VF). Several candidate drugs have been identified and are at various stages of drug development. Since quorum quenching, inhibition of biofilm formation and inhibition of VF synthesis do not pose any threat to the DNA replication and cell division of the bacteria, chances of resistance development to such compounds is presumably rare. Thus, these compounds ideally qualify as adjunct therapeutics and could be administered along with an antibiotic to reduce chances of resistance development and also to increase the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. This review describes the state-of-art in QS process in Gram-negative bacteria in general and in A. baumannii in particular. This article elaborates the nature of QS mediators, their characteristics, and the methods for their detection and quantification. Various potential sites in the QS pathway have been highlighted as drug targets and the candidate quorum quenchers which inhibit the mediator’s synthesis or function are enlisted.     

N-acyl homoserine lactone mediated interspecies interactions between A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa

Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are pathogens capable of colonizing the same infection sites and employing N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) based quorum-sensing systems to co-ordinate biofilm formation. Hence, the effect of P. aeruginosa AHLs on biofilm formation by A. baumannii and vice versa were investigated using the biofilm impaired quorum sensing mutants, A. baumannii M2 (abaI::Km) and P. aeruginosa PAO-JP2. Complementing the mutants with heterologous, extracted and pure AHLs increased biofilm mass significantly. The surface area coverage and biovolume also increased significantly as observed by confocal scanning laser microscopy which corroborated scanning electron microscope analysis. Autoinducer synthase gene promoters of A. baumannii, P _abaI-lacZ, and P. aeruginosa, P _lasI-lacZ, were induced (p < 0.05) by heterologous AHLs. Growth of A. baumannii was not inhibited by pyocyanin of P. aeruginosa which may allow their co-existence and interaction in the clinical setting, thereby affecting the severity of combined infections and therapeutic measures to control them.     

The quorum sensing molecule N-acyl homoserine lactone produced by Acinetobacter baumannii displays antibacterial and anticancer properties

Secretory N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) mediate quorum sensing (QS) in bacteria. AHLs are shown to be inhibitory for an unrelated group of bacteria and might mimic host signalling elements, thereby subverting the regulatory events in host cells. This study investigated the AHL produced by Acinetobacter baumannii and analysed its effect on other bacterial species and mammalian cells. Chemically characterized AHL had an m/z value of 325 with a molecular formula C₁₈H₃₁NO₄ and showed its inhibitory potential against Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular docking studies identified D-alanine-D-alanine synthetase A, a cell wall synthesizing enzyme of S. aureus having a strong binding affinity towards AHL. Electron microscopy showed the disruption and sloughing off of the S. aureus cell wall when treated with AHL. In vitro experiments revealed that this bacteriostatic AHL showed time-dependent activity and induced apoptosis in cancer cell lines. This compound could be a potential structural backbone for constructing new AHL analogues against S. aureus. The findings emphasize the need to re-evaluate all previously characterized AHLs for any additional new biological functions other than QS.