Effect of the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210 on quorum sensing and on the production of quorum sensing-mediated virulence factors by Vibrio harveyi.

Divya Soni,Doron Steinberg,Reem Smoum,Aviva Breuer,Raphael Mechoulam

doi:10.1186/s12866-015-0499-0

Divya Soni, Doron Steinberg + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12866-015-0499-0

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundBacterial populations communicate through the cell density-dependent mechanism of quorum sensing (QS). Vibrio harveyi, one of the best studied model organisms for QS, was used to explore effects of the synthetic cannabinoid HU-210 on QS and different QS-regulated physiological processes in bacteria.ResultsAnalysis of QS-regulated bioluminescence in wild-type and mutant strains of V. harveyi revealed that HU-210 affects the autoinducer-2 (AI-2) pathway, one of three known QS cascades of V. harveyi. Furthermore, QS-mediated biofilm formation and swimming motility in the mutant strain BB152 (AI-1−, AI-2+) were significantly reduced in the presence of HU-210. HU-210 inhibited QS-mediated virulence factor production without any inhibitory effect on bacterial growth. It also alters the expression of several genes, which are regulated by QS, specifically downregulating the genes of the AI-2 QS cascade.ConclusionFirst evidence is being provided for interference of bacterial signal-transduction systems by a synthetic cannabinoid. The effect of HU-210 was specific to the AI-2 cascade in V. harveyi. AI-2 is known as a "universal autoinducer" and interference with its activity opens a broad spectrum of applications for synthetic cannabinoids in future research as a potential anti-QS agent.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12866-015-0499-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Bacterial populations communicate through the cell density-dependent mechanism of quorum sensing (QS)
We determined whether addition of HU-210 to the growth media alters the bioluminescence of the wild-type V. harveyi strain
Results indicated that a notable effect of HU-210 was specific to AI-2 in the QS cascade of V. harveyi, as this AI regulates QS of V. harveyi mutant strain BB152

Summary

Introduction

Bacterial populations communicate through the cell density-dependent mechanism of quorum sensing (QS). A. Plant and endogenous cannabinoids have been investigated extensively, as agonists of the endocannabinoid signaling system and as therapeutically active substances [12, 13]. Plant and endogenous cannabinoids have been investigated extensively, as agonists of the endocannabinoid signaling system and as therapeutically active substances [12, 13] Both delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive constituent of cannabis [14] and cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive constituent, alter immune functions, mostly via suppression. The mechanism governing these activities has not been fully elucidated (for a recent review see Cabral et al [15]). Several reports have indicated that administration of THC leads to lower viral loads and moderation of disease progression [15]

Methods

Results

Conclusion