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Evidence for the widespread production of DSF family signal molecules by members of the genus Burkholderia by the aid of novel biosensors
Author(s) -
Suppiger Angela,
Aguilar Claudio,
Eberl Leo
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12348
Subject(s) - burkholderia cenocepacia , biofilm , biosensor , burkholderia , biology , bacteria , enzyme , virulence factor , burkholderia cepacia complex , virulence , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , chemistry , gene , genetics
Summary Many bacteria employ cis ‐2‐unsaturated fatty acids, referred to as DSF (diffusible signal factor) family signals, to communicate with each other. Such systems have been shown to control biofilm formation, motility, production of hydrolytic enzymes and expression of virulence factors. We report the construction of novel biosensors on the basis of components of the Burkholderia ‐DSF ( BDSF ) dependent circuitry of B urkholderia cenocepacia H 111 and evaluated their utility for detecting the production of DSF family signal molecules. We show that a luxAB ‐based biosensor responds to n M levels of synthetic BDSF and is suitable to detect a wide range of cis ‐2 fatty acid molecules. Using this biosensor we show that the production of DSF family molecules is widespread among members of the B. cepacia complex and demonstrate for the first time that DSF ‐based molecules are also produced by plant‐associated B urkholderia species.