Abstract
Recent studies suggest that quorum-sensing molecules may play a role in gut microbiota-host crosstalk. However, whether microbiota produces quorum-sensing molecules and whether those molecules can trans-kingdom transport to the host are still unknown. Here, we develop a UPLC-MS/MS-based assay to screen the 27 N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in the gut microbiota and host. Various AHL molecules are exclusively detected in the cecal contents, sera and livers from conventionally-raised mice but cannot be detected in germ-free mice. Pathogen-produced C4-HSL is detected in the cecal contents and sera of Citrobacter rodentium (C. rodentium)-infected mice, but not found in uninfected controls. Moreover, C. rodentium infection significantly increases the level of multiple AHL molecules in sera. Our findings demonstrate that both commensal and pathogenic bacteria, can produce AHLs that can be detected in host bodies, suggesting that quorum-sensing molecules could be a group of signaling molecules in trans-kingdom microbiota-host crosstalk.
Highlights
Bacterial intercellular communication, known as quorum sensing, plays an important role in a series of bacterial physiological processes, especially in biofilm formation, bacterial cell density, and virulence factor transcription and secretion[1]
Only one recent study measured the acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in the feces, but not in the body, from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on accurate mass[24]
By comparing the conventionallyraised mice and germ-free mice, we first found that mouse gut microbiota produced various AHLs, as demonstrated by the fact that these AHL molecules were only detectable in feces from conventionally-raised mice but not in germ-free mice (Figs 2 and 3)
Summary
Known as quorum sensing, plays an important role in a series of bacterial physiological processes, especially in biofilm formation, bacterial cell density, and virulence factor transcription and secretion[1]. Human gut microbiota contains trillions of microorganisms that play critical roles in food fiber digestion, energy supplement, immune regulation, and so on[2]. The gut microbiota is a dynamic and complex system, and its establishment, development, and dysbiosis are still largely unclear. As a key bacteria-bacteria communication approach, quorum sensing could play a role in gut microbiota development. Multiple quorum-sensing associated genes were detected in the genome of gut bacteria. Our previous study found multiple quorum-sensing genes and pathways in the metagenome in mouse gut bacteria[4]. To our best knowledge, the direct evidence on whether gut microbiota can produce quorumsensing molecules is still lacking
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