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Inhibitory Effects of Artificial Sweeteners on Bacterial Quorum Sensing

Authors :
Esti Kramarsky-Winter
Victor Markus
Marilou Shagan
Barak Halpern
Robert S. Marks
Ariel Kushmaro
Tal Bar
Orr Share
Karina Golberg
Nazmi Özer
Kerem Teralı
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 22, Iss 9863, p 9863 (2021), International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Volume 22, Issue 18
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Despite having been tagged as safe and beneficial, recent evidence remains inconclusive regarding the status of artificial sweeteners and their putative effects on gut microbiota. Gut microorganisms are essential for the normal metabolic functions of their host. These microorganisms communicate within their community and regulate group behaviors via a molecular system termed quorum sensing (QS). In the present study, we aimed to study the effects of artificial sweeteners on this bacterial communication system. Using biosensor assays, biophysical protein characterization methods, microscale thermophoresis, swarming motility assays, growth assays, as well as molecular docking, we show that aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin have significant inhibitory actions on the Gram-negative bacteria N-acyl homoserine lactone-based (AHL) communication system. Our studies indicate that these three artificial sweeteners are not bactericidal. Protein-ligand docking and interaction profiling, using LasR as a representative participating receptor for AHL, suggest that the artificial sweeteners bind to the ligand-binding pocket of the protein, possibly interfering with the proper housing of the native ligand and thus impeding protein folding. Our findings suggest that these artificial sweeteners may affect the balance of the gut microbial community via QS-inhibition. We, therefore, infer an effect of these artificial sweeteners on numerous molecular events that are at the core of intestinal microbial function, and by extension on the host metabolism.

Details

ISSN :
14220067
Volume :
22
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....8f2f2b2268f6dfc8a047898e7fb5451e
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22189863