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Propolis, a product of the bee hive, has an antagonistic affect on quorum‐sensing regulated bioluminescence, gene transcription and motility
Author(s) -
Bulman Zack,
Hudson Andre,
Savka Michael A
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.948.1
Subject(s) - propolis , quorum sensing , swarming motility , bioreporter , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , bacteria , swarming (honey bee) , virulence , gene , biochemistry , gene expression , reporter gene , food science , genetics
Propolis or ‘bee hive glue’ is collected by bees from local flora and has been used to protect against virus, bacteria, inflammation and ulcers. The purpose of our study was to examine the effect of propolis on a bacterial gene regulatory process called quorum sensing (QS). QS regulatory activity of six samples of propolis was examined using five QS N ‐acyl‐homoserine lactone (AHL)‐dependent bacterial biosensors. Concentrations of propolis that do not affect biosensor growth were exposed to the biosensors with inducing concentrations of the cognate AHL. Propolis antagonized the QS bacterial signaling system in liquid‐ and agar‐based bioassays and in C 18 reverse‐phase thin‐layer chromatography assays. Using RT‐PCR, genes involved in QS signaling in pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum were repressed by propolis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa , uses QS to conduct its swarming motility behavior. When propolis is added to P. aeruginosa , swarming motility is reduced up to 58.5%. Together, we present evidence that propolis samples contain compounds that suppress QS responses. In this regard, propolis could be the starting point for the discovery of novel anti‐pathogenic compounds to disrupt QS signaling systems.