Quorum sensing pathways in Gram-positive and -negative bacteria: potential of their interruption in abating drug resistance

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is an inter-cell communication between bacterial populations through release of tiny diffusible compounds as signalling agents, called auto-inducers, abetting bacteria to track population density. QS allows bacterial population to perform collectively in coordination to wide phenotypes like alterations in expression of virulence genes to achieve advancement over their competitors, drug resistance and biofilm formation. Several classes of autoinducers have been described that are involved in bacterial virulence. This review gives an insight into the multitudinous QS systems in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to explore their role in microbial physiology and pathogenesis. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has clinically become a super challenge. Strategies to interrupt QS pathways by natural and synthetic QS inhibitors or quorum quenchers or analogs provide a potential treatment. We highlight the advancements in discovery of promising new targets for development of next generation antimicrobials to control infections caused by multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens.

Keywords:

• Antimicrobials
• autoinducers
• quorum quenching
• quorum sensing
• signal transduction
• virulence

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the members of Gene Expression Laboratory, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India for insightful discussions. We extend special thanks to Prof. Arif Ali, for his helpful scientific suggestions.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Author contribution

SH, DKY, SCB, NY, VS, KKD, AJ, MW and SAD conceived and designed the study, and performed the literature search. SH, DKY, SCB, NY, VS, KKD, SAD wrote the manuscript. AJ and MW designed the graphics. SH and SAD supervised the study and revised the final version of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript for submission.

Notes on contributors

Dr. Shafiul Haque completed PhD in biotechnology from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India and attained an excellent blend of techno-managerial background by completing MBA, PG Diploma in Pharma Regulatory Affairs, and Certificate Course on Intellectual Property Rights. He worked for Bio-Rad laboratories as an Application Scientist for EMEA region & West India for more than two years. Later, he pursued his research career as a Post-doctoral researcher from the University of Helsinki, Finland. Afterwards, he worked in the capacity of a Research Consultant and led the Research Clinic based at the Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; and from the last five years, he is the Head of the Research & Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. His research areas of interest are microbiology, infectious diseases, genetics, bioprocess, bioinformatics and health education. He has published more than 100 articles in peer reviewed and well-reputed Scientific Journals.

Dr. Dinesh K. Yadav, PhD completed his Ph.D. from NBRI, Lucknow, India. He is currently working as Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. His is working as a molecular biologist on expression of antibodies in plants.

Dr. Shekhar C. Bisht, PhD has completed his Ph.D. in Agricultural Microbiology from H.N.B Garhwal University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand, India. He worked for King Saud University for one year as a Research Consultant. Currently, he is involved in the R&D and Biological product application development at PlantbiotiX, Ahmedabad, Gujrat, India.

Dr. Neelam Yadav, PhD completed her Ph.D. from NBRI, Lucknow India, and she is currently working as Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her areas of research interest include microbiology and virology.

Dr. Vineeta Singh, PhD has completed her doctoral studies from Fermentation Technology Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow India. She is specialized in isolation and characterization of antimicrobial metabolites from microbial isolates. She worked as DST-Young Scientist for 3 years and currently she is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow. Her research interests are secondary metabolite production, enzyme kinetics, bioremediation, biotransformation, microbial fuel cells, bioinformatics and nanotechnology.

Dr. Kashyap Kumar Dubey, PhD completed his doctoral research from MD University Rohtak, Haryana, and he is currently working as Associate Professor of Biotechnology in Central University of Haryana, India. His research areas are biochemical engineering and wastewater treatment involving process development for value added pharmaceutical products through optimization of enzyme reactions and toxicological studies of micro-pollutants.

Dr. Arshad Jawed, PhD is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, KSA. He has completed his Ph.D. in Biotechnology from Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH)-JNU, Chandigarh, India in 2008. His research interests include Biostatistics, Meta-analysis, and Bioprocessing. He has published 64 papers in well-reputed, peer reviewed international journals.

Dr. Mohd Wahid, PhD is currently working as an Assistant Professor at Research and Scientific Studies Unit (College of Nursing), Jazan University. He has completed his Ph.D. (Biochemistry) in the year 2010 from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi (India). His research interests include Oncotherapy, Biophysics and Meta-analysis. He has published 45 research articles in peer reviewed journals of international repute.

Sajad Ahmad Dar, PhD is a medical researcher working in the area of Microbial Immuno-pathogenesis and Autoimmunity. He received his Ph.D. degree from University of Delhi, India. He worked as postdoctoral research fellow at Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Women’s Health Services, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA. He is currently working as Assistant Professor Microbiology at College of Nursing & Allied Health Sciences, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. As the leader of ‘Clinical and Functional Genomics’ research group his current focus is on immuno-pathogenesis of various human microbial diseases and autoimmunity. His broad background in Immunology, with expertise in T cell immunology, regulation of immune responses and gene cloning is well reflected by his excellent publication record. He is the author of more than 80 publications in International Scientific Journals.