Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics to Treat Vibriosis in Humans and Aquatic Organisms
03:29

Author Spotlight: Advancing Therapeutics to Treat Vibriosis in Humans and Aquatic Organisms

Published on: May 31, 2024

565

6-Methylcoumarin rescues bacterial quorum sensing induced ribosome-inactivating stress in Caenorhabditis elegans

Poornima Ramesh1, Sukesh Kumar Bajire2, Anagha Kanichery1

  • 1Center for Systems Biology and Molecular Medicine, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), University Road, Deralakatte, Mangalore, 575018, India.

Microbial Pathogenesis
|October 20, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Quorum sensing inhibitor 6-Methylcoumarin effectively reduced Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenicity by restoring ribosomal and mitochondrial protein levels in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. This study highlights the potential of quorum sensing inhibitors in combating bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Proteomics
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Drug Discovery and Development

Background:

  • Bacterial pathogenicity, particularly from *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, significantly impacts patient care, leading to hospital-acquired infections.
  • *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* utilizes quorum sensing and exotoxins for host colonization and infection.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms of *P. aeruginosa* infection is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze proteomic alterations induced by *P. aeruginosa* PAO1 infection.
  • To investigate the impact of the quorum sensing inhibitor 6-Methylcoumarin on PAO1 infectivity.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying *P. aeruginosa* pathogenesis and inhibition using a *Caenorhabditis elegans* model.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative proteomics using tandem mass tag (TMT) analysis to identify differentially regulated proteins.
  • Comparative proteomic profiling of *P. aeruginosa* PAO1 infected *C. elegans* with and without 6-Methylcoumarin treatment.
  • Analysis of proteins involved in host-pathogen interaction, ribosome function, mitochondrial activity, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

  • A total of 229 proteins were differentially regulated upon infection and inhibition; 34 were dysregulated under both conditions.
  • *P. aeruginosa* PAO1 infection induced ribosome-inactivating stress and downregulated mitochondrial proteins, leading to apoptosis dysregulation.
  • 6-Methylcoumarin inhibited PAO1's survival mechanism by rescuing the downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial proteins.

Conclusions:

  • The study reveals key molecular alterations driven by quorum sensing in *P. aeruginosa* pathogenesis.
  • Quorum sensing inhibitors, such as 6-Methylcoumarin, demonstrate significant potential in controlling bacterial pathogenesis.
  • Targeting quorum sensing pathways offers a promising strategy for combating *P. aeruginosa* infections.
Keywords:
6-methylcoumarinCaenorhabditis elegansPseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1Quantitative proteomicsTMT

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria06:58

Author Spotlight: Advancing Caenorhabditis elegans Research Using Paraformaldehyde-Treated Bacteria

Published on: July 28, 2023

2.5K
Using Single-Worm Data to Quantify Heterogeneity in Caenorhabditis elegans-Bacterial Interactions09:54

Using Single-Worm Data to Quantify Heterogeneity in Caenorhabditis elegans-Bacterial Interactions

Published on: July 22, 2022

3.1K

Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
75
Bacterial Signaling01:30

Bacterial Signaling

Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
33.6K
Stringent Response in E. coli01:23

Stringent Response in E. coli

Bacterial growth is closely tied to nutrient availability, with cells proliferating exponentially under favorable conditions and entering a stationary phase when resources become scarce. This transition is mediated by a regulatory mechanism known as the stringent response, which allows bacteria to adapt to nutrient deprivation by modulating gene expression and metabolic activity.During nutrient scarcity, intracellular amino acid levels decline. It results in the accumulation of uncharged tRNAs...
40
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria01:30

Other Stress Responses in Bacteria

Bacteria have global regulatory systems that control several types of stress mechanisms. These include Pho regulon and the heat shock response, which are essential systems for environmental adaptation, such as nutrient limitation and proteotoxic stress. The Pho regulon and the heat shock response exemplify bacterial resilience, enabling rapid adaptation to fluctuating environmental conditions.Pho RegulonBacteria require phosphorus for essential cellular processes, including nucleic acid...
51
Types of RNA01:23

Types of RNA

Overview
Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the regulation of gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA...
64.4K
Chemotaxis in E. coli01:27

Chemotaxis in E. coli

Chemotaxis in Escherichia coli is a sensory-driven motility mechanism that enables bacteria to navigate chemical gradients, moving toward beneficial environments while avoiding harmful conditions. This process relies on a signal transduction system integrating external chemical cues with flagellar motor control.Chemoreceptors and Signal DetectionE. coli detects chemical gradients through methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), which are membrane-bound chemoreceptors that sense attractants...
72