Phosphorylation and processing of the quorum-sensing molecule autoinducer-2 in enteric bacteria.

TitlePhosphorylation and processing of the quorum-sensing molecule autoinducer-2 in enteric bacteria.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsXavier, KB, Miller, ST, Lu, W, Kim, JHwan, Rabinowitz, J, Pelczer, I, Semmelhack, MF, Bassler, BL
JournalACS Chem Biol
Volume2
Issue2
Pagination128-36
Date Published2007 Feb 20
ISSN1554-8937
KeywordsAdenosine Triphosphate, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli Proteins, Homoserine, Lactones, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Pentanes, Phosphorylation, Quorum Sensing, Receptors, Cell Surface, Repressor Proteins
Abstract

<p>Quorum sensing is a process of chemical communication that bacteria use to assess cell population density and synchronize behavior on a community-wide scale. Communication is mediated by signal molecules called autoinducers. The LuxS autoinducer synthase produces 4,5-dihydroxy-2,3-pentanedione (DPD), the precursor to a set of interconverting molecules that are generically called autoinducer-2 (AI-2). In enteric bacteria, AI-2 production induces the assembly of a transport apparatus (called the LuxS regulated (Lsr) transporter) that internalizes endogenously produced AI-2 as well as AI-2 produced by other bacterial species. AI-2 internalization is proposed to be a mechanism enteric bacteria employ to interfere with the signaling capabilities of neighboring species of bacteria. We have previously shown that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium binds a specific cyclic derivative of DPD. Here we show that following internalization, the kinase LsrK phosphorylates carbon-5 of the open form of DPD. Phosphorylated DPD (P-DPD) binds specifically to the repressor of the lsr operon, LsrR, consistent with P-DPD being the inducer of the lsr operon. Subsequently, LsrG catalyzes the cleavage of P-DPD producing 2-phosphoglycolic acid. This series of chemical events is proposed to enable enteric bacteria to respond to the presence of competitor bacteria by sequestering and destroying AI-2, thereby eliminating the competitors' intercellular communication capabilities.</p>

DOI10.1021/cb600444h
Alternate JournalACS Chem Biol
PubMed ID17274596
Grant ListAI 054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
GM 065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States