Difference between revisions of "CH391L/S14/QuorumSensing"

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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
[http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::500::500::/sites/dl/free/0073375225/594358/QuorumSensing.swf::Quorum%20Sensing '''Quorum Sensing'''] refers to the cell to cell communication within bacterial populations facilitated by chemical signaling that results[[File:Nchembio.749-F2.jpg| thumb| right | 250 px| Bacterial resistance (live cells shown in green, those killed by antibiotics shown in red) increases in dense populations of ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'' as a result of quorum sensing [http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/v8/n1/fig_tab/nchembio.749_F2.html Connell 2012]]] in a change in gene expression. Certain bacterial strains continuously produce chemical signals in the form of small molecules known as autoinducers that are excreted and enter the extracellular environment. Under conditions of low population density, the level of  autoinducers present in this environment is not high enough to produce a change in gene expression. However, in very dense populations, the level surpasses the threshold necessary to induce such a change. The resultant gene expression favors the production of proteins that benefit cells living in a colony and tends to increase factors such as virulence and antibiotic resistance. Quorum sensing has been shown to occur in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains, and can occur in monoclonal populations and between bacterial populations of different species <cite>Williams2007</cite>.
+
[http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::500::500::/sites/dl/free/0073375225/594358/QuorumSensing.swf::Quorum%20Sensing '''Quorum Sensing'''] refers to the cell to cell communication within bacterial populations facilitated by chemical signaling that results[[File:Nchembio.749-F2.jpg| thumb| left | 250 px| Bacterial resistance (live cells shown in green, those killed by antibiotics shown in red) increases in dense populations of ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'' as a result of quorum sensing [http://www.nature.com/nchembio/journal/v8/n1/fig_tab/nchembio.749_F2.html Connell 2012]]] in a change in gene expression. Certain bacterial strains continuously produce chemical signals in the form of small molecules known as autoinducers that are excreted and enter the extracellular environment. Under conditions of low population density, the level of  autoinducers present in this environment is not high enough to produce a change in gene expression. However, in very dense populations, the level surpasses the threshold necessary to induce such a change. The resultant gene expression favors the production of proteins that benefit cells living in a colony and tends to increase factors such as virulence and antibiotic resistance. Quorum sensing has been shown to occur in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains, and can occur in monoclonal populations and between bacterial populations of different species <cite>Williams2007</cite>.
 +
 
 +
==Benefits of Quorum Sensing==
 +
[[File:Bioluminescence-3-300x271.jpg|thumb|right| 150 px| Bilouminescence of ''Vibrio fischeri'' in ''Euprymna scolopes'' [http://www.reefnews.eu/2010/03/vibrio-fisheri-2/ Reef News]]]
 +
[[File:Bacterial biofilm 154 lg.jpg| thumb| left |200 px| Biofilm formed as a result of quorum sensing within a population of ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'' [http://labrat.fieldofscience.com/2011/04/social-evolution-in-bacteria-sgm-series.html Field of Science]]]Quorum sensing provides a vast array of benefits to bacterial populations, including increasing virulence and [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24575808 antibiotic resistance], the ability to survive and reproduce, [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24528485 motility] and attachment including [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24143808?dopt=Abstract biofilm formation], as well as species specific benefits like [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22753068 sporulation], antibiotic production and symbiosis. One of the most widely studied instances of quorum sensing was discovered to be integral in the symbiotic relationship between ''Vibrio fischeri'' and squid such as ''Euprymna scolopes''. In the dense  populations of bacterial cells within the light pockets of the squid, quorum sensing results in bioluminescence which helps disguise the presence of the squid in the dark by preventing visibility of its shadow on the sea floor <cite>Verma2013</cite>.  It has also been discovered in recent years that bacterial/eukaryotic signaling is important in pathogenic bacterial strains, and that this may be in part facilitated by a quorum sensing-like process <cite>Javaraman2008</cite>.
 +
 
 +
 
  
 
==Autoinducers and Gene Expression==
 
==Autoinducers and Gene Expression==
[[File:Quorum-sensing.jpg| thumb| left | 400 px| Quorum sensing is not initiated in low density populations (planktonic), whereas in high density populations (biofilm) it occurs as a result of autoinducer (HSL) activity [http://www.hypertextbookshop.com/biofilmbook/working_versionOld/contents/chapters/chapter011/section024/blue/page002.html The Biofilms Hypertextbook]]] '''Autoinducers''' in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains are constantly produced at a basal level, and upon reaching a threshold concentration in the extracellular environment, initiate production of both additional autoinducer molecules as well as certain proteins that benefit the propagation and sustainability of the bacterial colony. There are two main classes of autoinducers, Autoinducer 1 (AI-1) and Autoinducer 2 (AI-2). AI-1's are used for intraspecies communication and differ between gram negative and gram positive bacteria. AI-2's are used mainly in interspecies communication and are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. All autoinducer systems utilize either a variant of Lux proteins or a phosphorylation cascade as the mechanism of production/recognition within the cell <cite>Jacobi2012</cite>.
+
[[File:Quorum-sensing.jpg| thumb| right | 400 px| Quorum sensing is not initiated in low density populations (planktonic), whereas in high density populations (biofilm) it occurs as a result of autoinducer (HSL) activity [http://www.hypertextbookshop.com/biofilmbook/working_versionOld/contents/chapters/chapter011/section024/blue/page002.html The Biofilms Hypertextbook]]] '''Autoinducers''' in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains are constantly produced at a basal level, and upon reaching a threshold concentration in the extracellular environment, initiate production of both additional autoinducer molecules as well as certain proteins that benefit the propagation and sustainability of the bacterial colony. There are two main classes of autoinducers, Autoinducer 1 (AI-1) and Autoinducer 2 (AI-2). AI-1's are used for intraspecies communication and differ between gram negative and gram positive bacteria. AI-2's are used mainly in interspecies communication and are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. All autoinducer systems utilize either a variant of Lux proteins or a phosphorylation cascade as the mechanism of production/recognition within the cell <cite>Jacobi2012</cite>.
 
'''AI-1'''
 
'''AI-1'''
 
*Gram Negative- Homoserine Lactone (HSL) and Acylated Homoserine Lactone (AHL) molecules are small neutral lipid based signaling molecules used by gram negative bacteria as autoinducers in quorum sensing. The production and recognition of these molecules within the cell is regulated by a LuxI/LuxR system. LuxI proteins are responsible for the activation of synthesis of these lipids which are then excreted into the extracellular environment. AHLs and HSLs are able to diffuse across cell membranes of adjacent cells and at above-threshold levels, sufficient accumulation within the cell initiates binding by the LuxR protein. This complex binds to the promoter region of target genes and results in the formation of various target proteins <cite>Schauder2001</cite>.
 
*Gram Negative- Homoserine Lactone (HSL) and Acylated Homoserine Lactone (AHL) molecules are small neutral lipid based signaling molecules used by gram negative bacteria as autoinducers in quorum sensing. The production and recognition of these molecules within the cell is regulated by a LuxI/LuxR system. LuxI proteins are responsible for the activation of synthesis of these lipids which are then excreted into the extracellular environment. AHLs and HSLs are able to diffuse across cell membranes of adjacent cells and at above-threshold levels, sufficient accumulation within the cell initiates binding by the LuxR protein. This complex binds to the promoter region of target genes and results in the formation of various target proteins <cite>Schauder2001</cite>.
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'''AI-2'''
 
'''AI-2'''
 
*Autoinducers formed from the precursor molecule 5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentane-dione (DPD) are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria to facilitate intraspecies communication. After the cell-specific modifications to this precursor molecule are performed by LuxS, the product, commonly furanosyl borate diester, is excreted and following extracellular accumulation also induces a phosphorylation cascade with the help of LuxP <cite>Jacobi2012</cite>.
 
*Autoinducers formed from the precursor molecule 5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentane-dione (DPD) are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria to facilitate intraspecies communication. After the cell-specific modifications to this precursor molecule are performed by LuxS, the product, commonly furanosyl borate diester, is excreted and following extracellular accumulation also induces a phosphorylation cascade with the help of LuxP <cite>Jacobi2012</cite>.
 
==Benefits of Quorum Sensing==
 
[[File:Bioluminescence-3-300x271.jpg|thumb|left| 150 px| Bilouminescence of ''Vibrio fischeri'' in ''Euprymna scolopes'' [http://www.reefnews.eu/2010/03/vibrio-fisheri-2/ Reef News]]]
 
[[File:Bacterial biofilm 154 lg.jpg| thumb| right |300 px| Biofilm formed as a result of quorum sensing within a population of ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'' [http://labrat.fieldofscience.com/2011/04/social-evolution-in-bacteria-sgm-series.html Field of Science]]]Quorum sensing provides a vast array of benefits to bacterial populations, including increasing virulence and [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24575808 antibiotic resistance], the ability to survive and reproduce, [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24528485 motility] and attachment including [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24143808?dopt=Abstract biofilm formation], as well as species specific benefits like [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22753068 sporulation], antibiotic production and symbiosis. One of the most widely studied instances of quorum sensing was discovered to be integral in the symbiotic relationship between ''Vibrio fischeri'' and squid such as ''Euprymna scolopes''. In the dense  populations of bacterial cells within the light pockets of the squid, quorum sensing results in bioluminescence which helps disguise the presence of the squid in the dark by preventing visibility of its shadow on the sea floor <cite>Verma2013</cite>.  It has also been discovered in recent years that bacterial/eukaryotic signaling is important in pathogenic bacterial strains, and that this may be in part facilitated by a quorum sensing-like process <cite>Javaraman2008</cite>.
 
  
 
==In Synthetic Biology==
 
==In Synthetic Biology==

Revision as of 15:41, 24 March 2014

Contents

Introduction

Quorum Sensing refers to the cell to cell communication within bacterial populations facilitated by chemical signaling that results
Bacterial resistance (live cells shown in green, those killed by antibiotics shown in red) increases in dense populations of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a result of quorum sensing Connell 2012
in a change in gene expression. Certain bacterial strains continuously produce chemical signals in the form of small molecules known as autoinducers that are excreted and enter the extracellular environment. Under conditions of low population density, the level of autoinducers present in this environment is not high enough to produce a change in gene expression. However, in very dense populations, the level surpasses the threshold necessary to induce such a change. The resultant gene expression favors the production of proteins that benefit cells living in a colony and tends to increase factors such as virulence and antibiotic resistance. Quorum sensing has been shown to occur in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains, and can occur in monoclonal populations and between bacterial populations of different species [1].

Benefits of Quorum Sensing

Bilouminescence of Vibrio fischeri in Euprymna scolopes Reef News
Biofilm formed as a result of quorum sensing within a population of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Field of Science
Quorum sensing provides a vast array of benefits to bacterial populations, including increasing virulence and antibiotic resistance, the ability to survive and reproduce, motility and attachment including biofilm formation, as well as species specific benefits like sporulation, antibiotic production and symbiosis. One of the most widely studied instances of quorum sensing was discovered to be integral in the symbiotic relationship between Vibrio fischeri and squid such as Euprymna scolopes. In the dense populations of bacterial cells within the light pockets of the squid, quorum sensing results in bioluminescence which helps disguise the presence of the squid in the dark by preventing visibility of its shadow on the sea floor [2]. It has also been discovered in recent years that bacterial/eukaryotic signaling is important in pathogenic bacterial strains, and that this may be in part facilitated by a quorum sensing-like process [3].


Autoinducers and Gene Expression

Quorum sensing is not initiated in low density populations (planktonic), whereas in high density populations (biofilm) it occurs as a result of autoinducer (HSL) activity The Biofilms Hypertextbook
Autoinducers in both gram negative and gram positive bacterial strains are constantly produced at a basal level, and upon reaching a threshold concentration in the extracellular environment, initiate production of both additional autoinducer molecules as well as certain proteins that benefit the propagation and sustainability of the bacterial colony. There are two main classes of autoinducers, Autoinducer 1 (AI-1) and Autoinducer 2 (AI-2). AI-1's are used for intraspecies communication and differ between gram negative and gram positive bacteria. AI-2's are used mainly in interspecies communication and are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. All autoinducer systems utilize either a variant of Lux proteins or a phosphorylation cascade as the mechanism of production/recognition within the cell [4].

AI-1

  • Gram Negative- Homoserine Lactone (HSL) and Acylated Homoserine Lactone (AHL) molecules are small neutral lipid based signaling molecules used by gram negative bacteria as autoinducers in quorum sensing. The production and recognition of these molecules within the cell is regulated by a LuxI/LuxR system. LuxI proteins are responsible for the activation of synthesis of these lipids which are then excreted into the extracellular environment. AHLs and HSLs are able to diffuse across cell membranes of adjacent cells and at above-threshold levels, sufficient accumulation within the cell initiates binding by the LuxR protein. This complex binds to the promoter region of target genes and results in the formation of various target proteins [5].
  • Gram Positive- Conversly, in gram positive bacteria, oligopeptides are used to facilitate quorum sensing. These oligopeptides also accumulate in high density populations, but do so on the outside of the cell. A receptor kinase at the cell surface is activated upon binding the oligopeptide, and an auto-phosphorylation event occurs at this receptor kinase on the inside of the cell. The phosphate group is subsequently transferred to a second protein that, when phosphorylated, binds to the promoter region of the target genes, similar to the LuxR/AHL complex in gram negatives. This in turn results in the production of the target proteins [5].

AI-2

  • Autoinducers formed from the precursor molecule 5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentane-dione (DPD) are used by both gram negative and gram positive bacteria to facilitate intraspecies communication. After the cell-specific modifications to this precursor molecule are performed by LuxS, the product, commonly furanosyl borate diester, is excreted and following extracellular accumulation also induces a phosphorylation cascade with the help of LuxP [4].

In Synthetic Biology

Schematic of microfluidic device in which bacteria function as arsenic sensors through AHL signal monitoring, local diffusion occurs within populations and is enhanced by H202 signaling to facilitate long distance communication [1]


  • Biosensors

A popular focus in modern synthetic biology with respect to quorum sensing is the engineering of exact biological circuitry which can function as a highly sensitive biosensor using bacterial populations. In 2011, a complex study was published detailing a highly reliable and sensitive array of bacterial populations that could be used to sense arsenic through the harnessing of the quorum sensing cell signaling pathway. This system was augmented through the use of hydrogen peroxide as a component of the system, which allowed cellular signaling to travel further than the diffusible AHL molecules [6]. The benefit of these types of sensors is that due to the nature of the quorum sensing pathways the system can have a very high degree of spatiotemporal predictability and can be tuned to suit the particular application.

  • Population Programming

Due to the nature of quorum sensing, the ability to manipulate genetic expression can be utilized to program whole populations of cells on a large scale. Now that the manipulation of bacterial cell genetic expression has been simplified, there are a number of current applications being considered. Two popular applications are engineering population control as well as harnessing and directing bacterial activity. Population control can be done in a number of ways. In 2004, a collaborative research effort resulted in the development of a method of coupling gene expression and cell death using quorum sensing by installing a “population control circuit” that caused regulation of Escherichia coli populations, limiting their ability to proliferate. As populations reached density levels sufficient to induce quorum sensing, the programmed genetics induced cell death [7]. In 2010, another effort to control population was made using an additional species of bacteria. Young mice were inoculated with a strain of E. coli engineered to express autoinducer molecule cholera autoinducer 1 (CAI-1) which prevents virulence of Vibrio cholerae under quorum sensing conditions. Subsequent inoculation with V. cholerae resulted in populations with decreased virulence and the survival rate of the mice increased compared to controls [8]. Harnessing bacterial activity is another popular area of investigation. A review published in 2012 focused on the engineering of synthetic microbial ecosystems which could serve a variety of functions including tissue engineering, drug production, and intestinal flora control [9].

Schematic of programmed cell death from BIT-China iGEM team BIT-China

iGEM

Components of the quorum sensing pathways in both AI-1 and AI-2 systems have been the target of iGEM. There are multiple BioBricks for the various Lux genes, AHLs, kinases, phosphatases and other constituents, as well as their promoters, activators, and suppressors. As of 2012, Boulder iGEM team alone had created three BioBricks coding for various proteins that disrupted quorum sensing, including Part:BBa_C0060 which codes for Aiia, an enzyme that hydrolyzes AHL, along with a Biobrick for a protein that is highly sensitive to AHLs, and a third that codes for a protein that degrades preexisting biofilms. In 2013, the Rutgers team submitted an additional BioBrick coding for an AHL degrading enzyme, Bba_K1206000. Additionally the team at TU Delft has made it an ongoing goal to achieve the detection and destruction of restistant Staphylococcus aureus strains by controlling various steps in the quorum signaling pathway. They have an ongoing list of dozens of BioBricks they have created on their website. Finally, also in 2013, the teams BIT and BIT-China received two gold rewards, one of which was for a BioBrick coding for a heat shock protein under the control of quorum sensing pathway products that resulted in programmed cell death.

References

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  1. Error fetching PMID 17360280: [Williams2007]
    Review of quorum sensing
  2. Error fetching PMID 23965960: [Verma2013]
    Symbiotic bioluminescence
  3. Error fetching PMID 18647113: [Javaraman2008]
    Benefits of quorum sensing
  4. Error fetching PMID 22862922: [Jacobi2012]
    AI-1 and AI-2 autoinducer systems
  5. Error fetching PMID 11410527: [Schauder2001]
    AI-1 in both gram negative and gram positive bacteria
  6. Error fetching PMID 22178928: [Prindle2011]
    Arsenic biosensor
  7. Error fetching PMID 15064770: [You2004]
    Programmed cell death in
  8. Error fetching PMID 20534565: [Duan2010]
    Engineered decrease in virulence
  9. Error fetching PMID 22722235: [Mee2012]
    Review of bacterial activtity control
All Medline abstracts: PubMed | HubMed