Characterization of quorum sensing and quorum quenching soil bacteria isolated from Malaysian tropical montane forest

Sensors (Basel). 2012;12(4):4846-59. doi: 10.3390/s120404846. Epub 2012 Apr 13.

Abstract

We report the production and degradation of quorum sensing N-acyl-homoserine lactones by bacteria isolated from Malaysian montane forest soil. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these isolates clustered closely to the genera of Arthrobacter, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Quorum quenching activity was detected in six isolates of these three genera by using a series of bioassays and rapid resolution liquid chromatography analysis. Biosensor screening and high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the production of N-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C12-HSL) by Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis (isolate BT9). In addition to degradation of a wide range of N-acyl-homoserine lactones, Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas spp. also degraded p-coumaroyl-homoserine lactone. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of Arthrobacter and Pseudomonas spp. capable of degrading p-coumaroyl-homoserine lactone and the production of C12-HSL by P. frederiksbergensis.

Keywords: Arthrobacter; Bacillus; N-acylhomoserine lactone; N-dodecanoyl-L-homoserine lactone; Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS); p-coumaroylhomoserine lactone; quorum quenching; quorum sensing; rapid resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • DNA Primers
  • Malaysia
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Quorum Sensing*
  • Soil Microbiology*
  • Trees*
  • Tropical Climate*

Substances

  • DNA Primers