A low concentration of azithromycin inhibits the mRNA expression of N-acyl homoserine lactone synthesis enzymes, upstream of lasI or rhlI, in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pulm Pharmacol Ther. 2009 Dec;22(6):483-6. doi: 10.1016/j.pupt.2009.04.004. Epub 2009 Apr 22.

Abstract

Low-dose macrolides are effective therapy in patients with chronic lung infections, but the mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study, we performed DNA microarray analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after treatment with a low concentration of azithromycin. We found that a sub-MIC of azithromycin didn't change mRNA expression of quorum-sensing related genes (lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, vft, rsaL), but lowered expression of most N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) synthesis enzymes upstream of lasI and rhlI. We propose that small down regulation of these enzymes cumulatively resulted in a larger decrease of AHL production and inhibition of quorum-sensing in P. aeruginosa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyl-Butyrolactones / metabolism*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Azithromycin / pharmacology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Microarray Analysis
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / drug effects*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • RNA, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Acyl-Butyrolactones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • LasI protein, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Azithromycin