Quorum sensing in the genus Burkholderia
1Department of Microbiology, Institute of Plant Biology, University Zürich, Zollikerstrasse 107, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland. leberl@botinst.unizh.ch
International Journal of Medical Microbiology : IJMM
|February 24, 2006
Summary
Burkholderia bacteria use quorum-sensing (QS) systems to cause disease. Understanding these N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) systems is key to developing new treatments for Burkholderia infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacterial Pathogenesis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The genus Burkholderia includes over 30 species, with several identified as significant human pathogens.
- Burkholderia species are implicated in opportunistic infections, particularly in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and the immunocompromised.
- Quorum-sensing (QS) systems, utilizing N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) signal molecules, regulate population density-dependent traits in Burkholderia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of QS systems in Burkholderia virulence.
- To identify QS-regulated virulence factors in various infection models.
- To explore QS systems as potential therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of QS systems, including CepI/CepR and multiple LuxI/LuxR homologues.
- Investigation of AHL signal molecule production in different Burkholderia strains.
- Evaluation of QS system function in animal infection models.
Main Results:
- All studied Burkholderia species possess QS systems regulating phenotypic traits.
- Some strains, like B. pseudomallei and B. mallei, exhibit complex QS systems with multiple AHLs.
- QS systems are crucial for full virulence in various animal models, though specific regulated functions remain largely unidentified.
Conclusions:
- QS systems are essential for Burkholderia pathogenicity.
- Targeting QS pathways offers a promising strategy for novel anti-Burkholderia therapeutics.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate QS-regulated virulence factors.
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