Controlling the activity of quorum sensing autoinducers with light
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| Authors: | J. P. Van der Berg W. A. Velema W. Szymanski A. J. M. Driessen B. L. Feringa |
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| Affiliation: | a Molecular Microbiology , Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands . Email: ;b Center for Systems Chemistry , Stratingh Institute for Chemistry , University of Groningen , Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG , Groningen , The Netherlands . Email: ;c Department of Radiology , University of Groningen , University Medical Centre Groningen , Groningen , The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Bacteria use a communication system, called quorum sensing (QS), to organize into communities and synchronize gene expression to promote virulence and secure survival. Here we report on a proof-of-principle for externally interfering with this bacterial communication system, using light. By employing photoswitchable small molecules, we were able to photocontrol the QS-related bioluminescence in an Escherichia coli reporter strain, and the expression of target QS genes and pyocyanin production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. |
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