Quorum sensing systems influence Burkholderia cenocepacia virulence

Future Microbiol. 2012 Dec;7(12):1373-87. doi: 10.2217/fmb.12.118.

Abstract

Burkholderia cepacia complex strains communicate using N-acyl homoserine lactones and BDSF-dependent quorum sensing (QS) systems. Burkholderia cenocepacia QS systems include CepIR, CciIR, CepR2 and BDSF. Analysis of CepR, CciIR, CepR2 and RpfF (BDSF synthase) QS regulons revealed that these QS systems both independently regulate and coregulate many target genes, often in an opposing manner. The role of QS and several QS-regulated genes in virulence has been determined using vertebrate, invertebrate and plant infection models. Virulence phenotypes are strain and model dependent, suggesting that different QS-regulated genes are important depending on the strain and type of infection. QS inhibitors in combination with antibiotics can reduce biofilm formation and virulence in infection models.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acyl-Butyrolactones / metabolism
  • Burkholderia cenocepacia / drug effects
  • Burkholderia cenocepacia / metabolism
  • Burkholderia cenocepacia / pathogenicity*
  • Burkholderia cenocepacia / physiology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Glycolipids / metabolism
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways
  • Quorum Sensing*
  • Regulon / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction
  • Virulence Factors / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Acyl-Butyrolactones
  • Glycolipids
  • Virulence Factors