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Expression of Meiothermus ruber luxS in E. coli alters the antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation

  • Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics
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Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) and signal molecules used for interspecies communication are well defined in mesophiles, but there is still a plethora of microorganisms in which existence and mechanisms of QS need to be explored, thermophiles being among them. In silico analysis has revealed the presence of autoinducer-2 (AI-2) class of QS signaling molecules in thermophiles, synthesized by LuxS (AI-2 synthase), though the functions of this system are not known. In this study, LuxS of Meiothermus ruber was used for understanding the mechanism and functions of AI-2 based QS among thermophilic bacteria. The luxS gene of M. ruber was expressed in luxS− deletion mutant of Escherichia coli. Complementation of luxS resulted in significant AI-2 activity, enhanced biofilm formation, and antibiotic susceptibility. Transcriptome analysis showed significant differential expression of 204 genes between the luxS-complemented and luxS− deletion mutant of E. coli. Majority of the genes regulated by luxS belonged to efflux pumps. This elucidation may contribute towards finding novel alternatives against incessant antibiotic resistance in bacteria.

Key Points

• Expression of luxS in luxS − E. coli resulted in increase in biofilm index.

• Reduction in the MIC of antibiotics was observed after complementation of luxS.

• Downregulation of efflux pump genes was observed after complementation of luxS.

• Transcriptome analysis showed that 204 genes were differentially regulated significantly.

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Acknowledgments

AK is grateful to University Grants Commission for Maulana Azad National Senior Research Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Amandeep Kaur & Prince Sharma

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India

    Neena Capalash

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  1. Amandeep Kaur
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  2. Neena Capalash
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  3. Prince Sharma
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All authors listed have made contributions for the fulfillment of this work. AK, PS, and NC designed the work, analyzed the data, and contributed to the writing of the manuscript. PS and NC finalized the results and discussion and revised the complete data critically. All authors contributed to writing, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Prince Sharma.

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Kaur, A., Capalash, N. & Sharma, P. Expression of Meiothermus ruber luxS in E. coli alters the antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 104, 4457–4469 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-10480-8

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