Article
Infectious Diseases
Lara Serrano-Aguirre, Rodrigo Velasco-Bucheli, Begona Garcia-Alvarez, Ana Saborido, Miguel Arroyo, Isabel de la Mata
Summary: This study identified a novel N-acylhomoserine lactone acylase from Actinoplanes utahensis, which can hydrolyze and synthesize various natural compounds, showing potential as a quorum quenching agent. This enzyme inhibits quorum sensing processes and can efficiently synthesize AHLs, highlighting its potential for the development of new antimicrobials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bartlomiej Surpeta, Michal Grulich, Andrea Palyzova, Helena Maresova, Jan Brezovsky
Summary: Growing concerns about microbial antibiotic resistance have led to extensive research on overcoming antibiotic resistance. This study evaluated the degradation capacity of three enzymes on signaling compounds for Gram-negative bacteria and clarified the molecular mechanisms underlying their quorum quenching (QQ) activity. The study also observed substrate-dependent differences in the catalytic actions of these enzymes due to the distinct structures of their acyl-binding cavities and the dynamics of their molecular gates.
Article
Microbiology
Jose Carlos Reina, Pedro Perez, Inmaculada Llamas
Summary: Some strains isolated from marine invertebrates have been found to possess the ability to degrade bacterial communication molecules (AHLs), thereby reducing pathogenic virulence and potentially being applied in biotechnological processes.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jed F. F. Fisher, Shahriar Mobashery
Summary: This essay discusses the discovery of beta-lactam antibiotics and their transformation of modern medicine, while also pointing out the scarcity of beta-lactam compounds in marine organisms and their potential similarity to quorum sensing molecules. The author proposes the exploration of this similarity to discover new structures and enzyme targets for interesting biological activities.
Article
Microbiology
Hiroyuki Kusada, Masanori Arita, Masanori Tohno, Hideyuki Tamaki
Summary: This study identified a novel bifunctional enzyme LpBSH that can degrade both bile salts and antibiotics, providing survival advantages to gut bacteria. The findings suggest that the bifunctional BSH may have a conserved distribution in various gut bacteria.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilya Lyagin, Nikolay Stepanov, Denis Presnov, Artem Trifonov, Elena Efremenko
Summary: The self-assembling of nanosized materials is a promising field for research and development, and various approaches are used to obtain inorganic, organic, and composite nanomaterials with different functionality. In this study, self-assembling nanocomplexes were prepared using enzymes and polypeptides, and their properties were investigated using low-molecular weight biologically active compounds. Molecular modeling was used to screen the possible formation of catalytically active self-assembling nanocomplexes, and two enzymes and two compounds were selected for further characterization. These nanocomplexes showed significant improvement in the antibacterial activity of colistin and polymyxin B against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Huishan Wang, Qiqi Lin, Lingling Dong, Wenting Wu, Zhibing Liang, Zhangyong Dong, Huijuan Ye, Lisheng Liao, Lian-Hui Zhang
Summary: N-Acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) and diffusible signal factor (DSF) are widely conserved quorum sensing signals, and enzymatic inactivation of QS signals is a promising biocontrol strategy. DSF-quenching biocontrol agent Pseudomonas sp. HS-18 exhibits strong enzyme activity against both AHL and DSF signals, showing synergistic effects in reducing AHL accumulation and pathogen virulence.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jose Carlos Reina, Manuel Romero, Rafael Salto, Miguel Camara, Inmaculada Llamas
Summary: The study identified a strain of Psychrobacter with high quorum quenching activity, attributed to an AHL-acylase named AhaP, which could degrade a wide range of synthetic N-acylhomoserine lactones. Heterologous expression of AhaP in Pseudomonas aeruginosa reduced the expression of QS-controlled genes, indicating its potential as a biocontrol agent. Additionally, the strain reduced mortality in brine shrimp caused by Vibrio coralliilyticus, showing promise for aquaculture applications.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shereen A. Murugayah, Gary B. Evans, Joel D. A. Tyndall, Monica L. Gerth
Summary: By site-directed mutagenesis, the substrate specificity of a glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase was changed from having no activity against N-acyl homoserine lactones to having new activities. This approach may be useful for further engineering of 'quorum quenching' enzymes.
BIOTECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tomohiro Morohoshi, Akinori Oshima, Xiaonan Xie, Nobutaka Someya
Summary: Our study demonstrates that the PsyI/PsyR quorum-sensing systems in Pseudomonas syringae strains are genetically and functionally diverse, with diversity being linked to phylogenetic and pathovar classifications.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Masarra M. Sakr, Walid F. Elkhatib, Khaled M. Aboshanab, Eman M. Mantawy, Mahmoud A. Yassien, Nadia A. Hassouna
Summary: The research found that using recombinant Ahl-1 lactonase hydrogel can effectively control multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa infections, leading to enhanced healing and reduced mortality rate.
Article
Immunology
Melanie Gonzales, Laure Plener, Jean Armengaud, Nicholas Armstrong, Eric Chabriere, David Daude
Summary: This study demonstrates the importance of Quorum sensing in Burkholderia thailandensis using an enzyme-based quorum quenching strategy. The disruption of quorum sensing greatly affects bacterial behavior, including motility, proteolytic activity, and antimicrobial molecule production. Furthermore, the study shows that quorum sensing disruption significantly enhances the bactericidal activity against fungi and yeast. These findings are of prime interest for understanding the virulence of Burkholderia species and developing alternative treatments.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nicole E. Smalley, Amy L. Schaefer, Kyle L. Asfahl, Crystal Perez, E. Peter Greenberg, Ajai A. Dandekar
Summary: In the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa, quorum sensing (QS) can activate the expression of dozens to hundreds of genes. In this study, the researchers investigated how the size and content of the QS regulon can evolve during long-term growth of P. aeruginosa. They found that the QS regulon can undergo a reductive adaptation in response to continuous QS-dependent growth. These findings provide insights into the strain-to-strain variability in the size and content of the P. aeruginosa QS regulon.
Article
Microbiology
Nicole E. Smalley, Amy L. Schaefer, Kyle L. Asfahl, Crystal Perez, E. Peter Greenberg, Ajai A. Dandekar
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of the QS regulon in Pseudomonas aeruginosa during long-term growth when cells require some but not all the functions activated by QS. The research reveals that the QS-regulon in P. aeruginosa can undergo a reductive adaptation in response to continuous QS-dependent growth, providing insights into the variability in the size and content of the QS regulon in different strains.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Shamas Tabraiz, Burhan Shamurad, Evangelos Petropoulos, Marcos Quintela-Baluja, Alex Charlton, Jan Dolfing, Paul J. Sallis
Summary: The novel QQ strain Acinetobacter guillouiae ST01 showed high activity in reducing quorum sensing in a membrane bioreactor by decreasing AHL concentrations in the sludge and biofilm. It also significantly reduced polysaccharide and protein levels, leading to a decrease in fouling rates in the MBR. These results suggest that A. guillouiae ST01 is a promising candidate for biofouling control in wastewater treatment.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jan Vogel, Marijke Wakker-Havinga, Rita Setroikromo, Wim J. Quax
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
H. Pramastya, Y. Song, E. Y. Elfahmi, S. Sukrasno, W. J. Quax
Summary: Bacillus subtilis is being developed into terpenoids cell factories due to its safe status and high isoprene precursor biosynthesis capacity. This review provides insights into the MEP pathway enzymes, isomerization of C5 isoprene precursors, and steps to improve terpenoids production in B. subtilis. The study also discusses genetic tools and strategies for further development of terpenoid cell factories in B. subtilis.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hegar Pramastya, Dan Xue, Ingy I. Abdallah, Rita Setroikromo, Wim J. Quax
Summary: By overexpressing amorphadiene synthase and providing sufficient substrate in Bacillus subtilis, a significant increase in amorphadiene production was achieved, providing a feasible pathway for artemisinin production.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yafeng Song, Siqi He, Ingy I. Abdallah, Anita Jopkiewicz, Rita Setroikromo, Ronald van Merkerk, Pieter G. Tepper, Wim J. Quax
Summary: This study focused on improving terpenoids production in Bacillus subtilis by establishing a CRISPR-Cas9 system for precise genome editing, which led to increased amorphadiene production. By modifying three modules related to terpene synthase, branch pathway, and central metabolic pathway, extracellular amorphadiene production was significantly enhanced without medium optimization. This research provides a universal strategy for enhancing terpenoids production in B. subtilis through comprehensive and systematic metabolic engineering.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rosa Sagita, Wim J. Quax, Kristina Haslinger
Summary: The study of the genetic basis for secondary metabolites in endophytic fungi presents a challenge, although genetics- and genomics-based approaches have become comprehensive tools in this field. Despite efforts to sequence more fungal genomes, the understanding of biosynthetic pathways in fungal endophytes remains limited.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhangping Xiao, Shanshan Song, Deng Chen, Ronald van Merkerk, Petra E. van Der Wouden, Robbert H. Cool, Wim J. Quax, Gerrit J. Poelarends, Barbro N. Melgert, Frank J. Dekker
Summary: The development of a MIF-targeted PROTAC, MD13, is able to induce MIF degradation at low concentrations and suppress the proliferation of inflammatory and cancer cells, demonstrating the potential therapeutic value of PROTACs in cancer treatment.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Abel Soto-Gamez, Yizhou Wang, Xinyu Zhou, Lorina Seras, Wim Quax, Marco Demaria
Summary: Genotoxic agents are commonly used in cancer therapy to induce cellular senescence, but senescent cancer cells may exhibit resistance to apoptosis and increase the risk of relapse. Targeting DR5 with a selective TRAIL variant has shown more effective apoptosis induction in therapy-induced senescent cancer cells compared to wild-type TRAIL, with no impact on non-cancerous cells. This suggests that DR5 targeting could be a novel therapeutic strategy to eliminate therapy-induced senescent cancer cells.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Zhangping Xiao, Angelina Osipyan, Shanshan Song, Deng Chen, Reinder A. Schut, Ronald van Merkerk, Petra E. van der Wouden, Robbert H. Cool, Wim J. Quax, Barbro N. Melgert, Gerrit J. Poelarends, Frank J. Dekker
Summary: This study discovered the importance of p38MAPK in maintaining the survival of T-ALL cells and revealed the potential therapeutic strategy of targeting aberrant phosphorylation of p38MAPK in leukemia.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jan Vogel, Lisa Jansen, Rita Setroikromo, Francis M. Cavallo, Jan Maarten van Dijl, Wim J. Quax
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that poses a threat to frail patients worldwide. It has high tolerance to environmental stresses and broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance, making it difficult to eradicate. The formation of biofilms, regulated by multiple mechanisms including quorum-sensing, plays a key role in antibiotic tolerance. This study demonstrates that PvdQ from Pseudomonas aeruginosa can reduce biofilm formation by A. baumannii and enhance the effect of gentamicin treatment. Additionally, PvdQ administration prolongs the survival of Galleria mellonella larvae. The findings suggest that acylase-mediated cleavage of quorum-sensing signaling molecules can limit the progression of A. baumannii infections.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xinyu Zhou, Abel Soto-Gamez, Fleur Nijdam, Rita Setroikromo, Wim J. Quax
Summary: Combining transferrin and dihydroartemisinin enhances cell death in triple-negative breast cancer cells induced by TRAIL. This combination therapy triggers more cell death by increasing DR5 expression in sensitive cells.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xinyu Zhou, Fengzhi Suo, Kristina Haslinger, Wim J. Quax
Summary: This review provides an overview of the effect of artemisinin-type drugs on regulated cell death pathways. It also summarizes the recent advances in two different therapeutic approaches, combination therapy and the use of nanocarriers, to improve the efficacy of these drugs. Both approaches have shown promising findings in vitro and in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alba Arranz San Martin, Jan Vogel, Sandra C. C. Wullich, Wim J. J. Quax, Susanne Fetzner
Summary: This study analyzed the quorum quenching properties of various enzymes on the Pseudomonas aeruginosa signal molecule PQS. The results showed that these enzymes significantly reduced the production of virulence factors and delayed mortality in infected animals.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yafeng Song, Siqi He, Anita Jopkiewicz, Rita Setroikromo, Ronald van Merkerk, Wim J. Quax
Summary: The CRISPR system, developed as a precise and efficient genome editing tool, has been widely applied in various research fields including biotechnology and medical sciences. This review focuses on the advancements and applications of the CRISPR system in Bacillus subtilis and other Bacillus species, as well as potential strategies for further improvement and future directions for rendering Bacillus species cell factories more effective and powerful.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jan G. T. Vogel, Joko P. Wibowo, Hillina Fan, Rita Setroikromo, Kan Wang, Alexander Domling, Frank J. Dekker, Wim J. Quax
Summary: This study successfully synthesized chromene-derived inhibitory molecules that competitively inhibit the acylase PvdQ, reducing the formation of pyoverdine in P. aeruginosa and demonstrating a protective effect in an infection model.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fengzhi Suo, Xinyu Zhou, Rita Setroikromo, Wim J. Quax
Summary: This review discusses the engineering of TNF ligands for receptor specificity and summarizes their performance in vivo and in vitro. Refining receptor specificity is a promising research strategy for improving the application of multi-receptor ligands.
