Convection and the Extracellular Matrix Dictate Inter- and Intra-Biofilm Quorum Sensing Communication in Environmental Systems

The mechanisms and impact of bacterial quorum sensing (QS) for the coordination of population-level behaviors are well studied under laboratory conditions. However, it is unclear how, in otherwise open environmental systems, QS signals accumulate to sufficient concentration to induce QS phenotypes,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology Vol. 54; no. 11; p. 6730
Main Authors: Tan, Chuan Hao, Oh, Hyun-Suk, Sheraton, Vivek M, Mancini, Emiliano, Joachim Loo, Say Chye, Kjelleberg, Staffan, Sloot, Peter M A, Rice, Scott A
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 02.06.2020
ISSN:1520-5851, 1520-5851
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Summary:The mechanisms and impact of bacterial quorum sensing (QS) for the coordination of population-level behaviors are well studied under laboratory conditions. However, it is unclear how, in otherwise open environmental systems, QS signals accumulate to sufficient concentration to induce QS phenotypes, especially when quorum quenching (QQ) organisms are also present. We explore the impact of QQ activity on QS signaling in spatially organized biofilms in scenarios that mimic open systems of natural and engineered environments. Using a functionally differentiated biofilm system, we show that the extracellular matrix, local flow, and QQ interact to modulate communication. In still aqueous environments, convection facilitates signal dispersal while the matrix absorbs and relays signals to the cells. This process facilitates inter-biofilm communication even at low extracellular signal concentrations. Within the biofilm, the matrix further regulates the transport of the competing QS and QQ molecules, leading to heterogenous QS behavior. Importantly, only extracellular QQ enzymes can effectively control QS signaling, suggesting that the intracellular QQ enzymes may not have evolved to degrade environmental QS signals for competition.
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ISSN:1520-5851
1520-5851
DOI:10.1021/acs.est.0c00716