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Summary Quorum sensing, a group behaviour coordinated by a diffusible pheromone signal and a cognate receptor, is typical of bacteria that form symbioses with plants and animals. LuxIR-type N-acyl L-homoserine (AHL) quorum sensing is common in Gram-negative Proteobacteria, and many members of this group have additional quorum-sensing networks. The bioluminescent symbiont Vibrio fischeri encodes two AHL signal synthases: AinS and LuxI. AinS-dependent quorum sensing converges with LuxI-dependent quorum sensing at the LuxR regulatory element. Both AinS- and LuxI-mediated signalling are required for efficient and persistent colonization of the squid host, Euprymna scolopes. The basis of the mutualism is symbiont bioluminescence, which is regulated by both LuxI- and AinS-dependent quorum sensing, and is essential for maintaining a colonization of the host. Here, we used chemical and genetic approaches to probe the dynamics of LuxI- and AinS-mediated regulation of bioluminescence during symbiosis. We demonstrate that both native AHLs and non-native AHL analogues can be used to non-invasively and specifically modulate induction of symbiotic bioluminescence via LuxI-dependent quorum sensing. Our data suggest that the first day of colonization, during which symbiont bioluminescence is induced by LuxIR, is a critical period that determines the stability of the V. fischeri population once symbiosis is established.

Quorum sensing (QS) is under the control of N-acylated l-homoserine lactones (AHLs) and their cognate receptors (LuxR-type proteins) in Gram-negative bacteria and plays a major role in mediating host-bacteria interactions by these species. Certain cyclic dipeptides (2,5-diketopiperazines, DKPs) have been isolated from bacteria and reported to activate or inhibit LuxR-type proteins in AHL biosensor strains, albeit at significantly higher concentrations than native lactones. These reports have prompted the proposal that DKPs represent a new class of QS signals and potentially even interspecies or interkingdom signals; their mechanisms of action and physiological relevance, however, remain unknown. Here, we describe a library of synthetic DKPs that was designed to (1) determine the structural features necessary for LuxR-type protein activation and inhibition and (2) probe their mechanisms of action. These DKPs, along with several previously reported natural DKPs, were screened in bacterial reporter gene assays. In contrast to previous reports, the native DKPs failed to exhibit either antagonistic or agonistic activities in these assays. However, non-natural halogenated cyclo(l-Pro-l-Phe) derivatives were capable of inhibiting luminescence in Vibrio fischeri. Interestingly, additional experiments revealed that these DKPs do not compete with the natural lactone signal, OHHL, to inhibit luminescence. Together, these data suggest that DKPs are not QS signals in the bacteria examined in this study. Although these compounds can influence QS-regulated outcomes, we contend that they do not do so through direct interaction with LuxR-type proteins. This work serves to refine the lexicon of naturally occurring QS signals used by Gram-negative bacteria.

The Burkholderia pseudomallei KHW quorum-sensing systems produced N -octanoyl-homoserine lactone, N -decanoyl-homoserine lactone, N -(3-hydroxy)-octanoyl-homoserine lactone, N -(3-hydroxy)-decanoyl-homoserine lactone, N -(3-oxo)-decanoyl-homoserine lactone, and N -(3-oxo)-tetradecanoyl-homoserine lactone. The extracellular secretion of these acyl-homoserine lactones is dependent absolutely on the function of the B. pseudomallei BpeAB-OprB efflux pump.

We performed ab initio calculations on the (Na(2)[CAl(4)])(2) dimer in order to test if the two CAl(4)(2-) groups react to form the more stable dimeric structure, or if the two CAl(4)(2-) groups remain separated in a true dimeric structure. Working at the B3LYP/6-311+G* level of theory (previously found to be satisfactory in our earlier calculations with CAl(4)(-) and Na[CAl(4)](-)), we established that structures with the C-C bond are higher in energy than the structures with two isolated structural CAl(4)(-) units separated by more than 5 A with their structural and electronic integrity preserved. However, alternative structures involving reaction between two CAl(4)(2-) groups forming a C(2)Al(8)(4-) cluster without the C-C bond are higher in energy, but they are still competitive with the true dimeric structure. While we found alternative structures of Na(4)C(2)Al(8) with the energy comparable to that of the true dimeric structure, we hope that the solid ionic salt with the pentaatomic tetracoordinate planar carbon [CAl(4)](2)(-) building block can be synthesized.

Quorum sensing, a group behavior coordinated by a diffusible pheromone signal and a cognate receptor, is typical of bacteria that form symbioses with plants and animals. LuxIR-type acyl homoserine-lactone (AHL) quorum sensing is common in Gram-negative proteobacteria, and many members of this group have additional quorum-sensing networks. The bioluminescent symbiont Vibrio fischeri encodes two AHL signal synthases: AinS and LuxI. AinS-dependent quorum sensing converges with LuxI-dependent quorum sensing at the LuxR regulatory element. Both AinS- and LuxI-mediated signaling are required for efficient and persistent colonization of the squid host, Euprymna scolopes. The basis of the mutualism is symbiont bioluminescence, which is regulated by both LuxI- and AinS-dependent quorum sensing, and is essential for maintaining a colonization of the host. Here, we used chemical and genetic approaches to probe the dynamics of LuxI- and AinS-mediated regulation of bioluminescence during symbiosis. We demonstrate that both native AHLs and non-native AHL analogs can be used to non-invasively and specifically modulate induction of symbiotic bioluminescence via LuxI-dependent quorum sensing. Our data suggest that the first day of colonization, during which symbiont bioluminescence is induced by LuxIR, is a critical period that determines the stability of the V. fischeri population once symbiosis is established.

We report the screening of 16,000 synthetic compounds for induction and inhibition of quorum sensing in a Pseudomonas putida N-acylated l -homoserine lactone (AHL) sensor strain engineered with the LasR transcriptional activator. LasR controls virulence gene expression in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and is of significant interest as a therapeutic target. Nine compounds that inhibit and 14 compounds that induce LasR activity were identified in our high-throughput screen.

A method for the synthesis of small molecule macroarrays of N-acylated l-homoserine lactones (AHLs) is reported. A focused library of AHLs was constructed, and the macroarray platform was found to be compatible with both solution and agar-overlay assays using quorum-sensing (QS) reporter strains. Several QS antagonists were discovered and serve to showcase the macroarray as a straightforward technique for QS research.

Bacteria are capable of “communicating” their local population densities via a process termed quorum sensing (QS). Gram-negative bacteria use N-acylated L-homoserine lactones (AHLs), in conjunction with their cognate LuxR-type receptors, as their primary signalling circuit for QS. In this critical review, we examine AHL signalling in Gram-negative bacteria with a primary focus on the design of non-natural AHLs, their structure-activity relationships, and their application in chemical biological approaches to study QS (72 references).

A focused library of N-aryl l-homoserine lactones was designed around known lactone leads and evaluated for antagonistic and agonistic activity against quorum-sensing receptors in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio fischeri. Several compounds were identified with significantly heightened activities relative to the lead compounds, and new structure-activity relationships (SARs) were delineated. Notably, 4-substituted N-phenoxyacetyl and 3-substituted N-phenylpropionyl l-homoserine lactones were identified as potent antagonists of TraR and LuxR, respectively.

Bacteria are capable of “communicating” their local population densities via a process termed quorum sensing (QS). Gram-negative bacteria use N-acylated L-homoserine lactones (AHLs), in conjunction with their cognate LuxR-type receptors, as their primary signalling circuit for QS. In this critical review, we examine AHL signalling in Gram-negative bacteria with a primary focus on the design of non-natural AHLs, their structure-activity relationships, and their application in chemical biological approaches to study QS (72 references).

Bacterial quorum sensing is mediated by low molecular-weight signals and plays a critical role in both the pathogenesis of infectious disease and beneficial symbioses. There is significant interest in the development of synthetic ligands that can intercept bacterial quorum sensing signals and modulate these outcomes. Here, we report the design and comparative analysis of the effects of approximately 90 synthetic N-acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) on quorum sensing in three Gram negative bacterial species and a critical examination of the structural features of these ligands that dictate agonistic and antagonistic activity, and selectivity for different R protein targets. These studies have revealed the most comprehensive set of structure-activity relationships to date that direct AHL-mediated quorum sensing and a new set of chemical probes with which to study this complex signaling process. Furthermore, this work provides a foundation on which to design next-generation quorum sensing modulators with improved activities and selectivities.

Bacteria use a language of low molecular weight ligands to assess their population densities in a process called quorum sensing. This chemical signaling process plays a pivotal role both in the pathogenesis of infectious disease and in beneficial symbioses. There is intense interest in the development of synthetic ligands that can intercept quorum-sensing signals and attenuate these divergent outcomes. Both broad-spectrum and species-selective modulators of quorum sensing hold significant value as small-molecule tools for fundamental studies of this complex cell-cell signaling process and for future biomedical and environmental applications. Here, we report the design and synthesis of focused collections of non-native N-acylated homoserine lactones and the systematic evaluation of these approximately 90 ligands across three Gram-negative bacterial species: the pathogens Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; the model symbiont Vibrio fischeri. This study is the first to report and compare the activities of a set of ligands across multiple species and has revealed some of the most potent synthetic modulators of quorum sensing to date. Moreover, several of these ligands exhibit agonistic or antagonistic activity in all three species, while other ligands are only active in one or two species. Analysis of the screening data revealed that at least a subset of these ligands modulate quorum sensing via a partial agonism mechanism. We also demonstrate that selected ligands can either inhibit or promote the production of elastase B, a key virulence factor in wild-type P. aeruginosa, depending on their concentrations. Overall, this work provides broad insights into the molecular features required for small-molecule inhibition or activation of quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, this study has supplied an expansive set of chemical tools for the further investigation of quorum-sensing pathways and responses.

Bacteria monitor their population densities using low-molecular-weight ligands in a process known as quorum sensing. At sufficient cell densities, bacteria can change their mode of growth and behave as multicellular communities that play critical roles in both beneficial symbioses and the pathogenesis of infectious disease. The development of non-native ligands that can block quorum-sensing signals has emerged as a promising new strategy to attenuate these divergent outcomes. Here, we report that N-phenylacetanoyl-l-homoserine lactones are capable of either inhibiting or, in some cases, strongly inducing quorum sensing in the bacterial symbiont Vibrio fischeri. Moreover, simple structural modifications to these ligands have remarkable effects on activity. These studies have revealed one of the first synthetic superagonists of quorum sensing, N-(3-nitro-phenylacetanoyl)-l-homoserine lactone. Together, these ligands represent a powerful new class of chemical probes with the potential to significantly expand the current understanding of quorum sensing and its role in host/bacteria interactions.

We report that n→π* interactions are operative in peptoids and play a major role in controlling amide isomerism. These interactions can be tuned using α-chiral amide side chains known to promote peptoid folding. To our knowledge, this is the first report of n→π* interactions between amides in non-prolyl systems. Furthermore, we have characterized an n→π* interaction between backbone carbonyls and side chain aromatic rings that can dramatically stabilize the cis-amides required for peptoid helix formation. The tunability of both types of n→π* interactions in peptoids has significant implications for peptoid folding and could be exploited for the design of new peptoid architectures.

Bacteria monitor their local population densities using small molecules (or autoinducers) in a process known as quorum sensing. Here, we report a new and efficient synthetic route to naturally occurring bacterial autoinducers [N-acyl l-homoserine lactones (AHLs)] that is readily amenable to the synthesis of analogues. This route has been applied in the first synthesis of a library of non-native AHLs. Evaluation of these compounds in bacterial reporter gene and biofilm assays has revealed a potent set of quorum sensing antagonists. These ligands will serve as valuable new tools to explore the role of quorum sensing in bacterial pathogenesis.

Ab initio calculations were combined with anion photoelectron spectroscopy to unravel the structural origin of Al5 and Al5−. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra of Al5− were obtained and compared to theoretical calculations performed at various levels of theory. It was shown that the best agreement between the experimental and theoretical data is for a planar C2v structure. Analyses of the electronic structure and molecular orbitals revealed that the planarity in Al5 and Al5− are due to the presence of a four-center peripheral bond that is common in a whole family of planar pentaatomic species recently uncovered.