Quorum sensing (QS) is a population-density dependent form of inter-cellular bacterial communication. Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses QS to coordinate pathogenic aggression against hosts whose immune systems have already been compromised. The natural acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducer of P. aeruginosa binds to the LasR receptor, activating transcription of virulence genes. Variations within the acyl chain of AHL autoinducers has been extensively researched. Recently, a triphenyl scaffold, which is structurally unrelated to the natural AHL autoinducer, has shown binding capability to LasR. We sought to design new QS regulators which incorporate modifications of both the triphenyl and acyl substituted scaffolds. The synthesis of these compounds takes advantage of a modular synthetic route and aims to further explore the interactions within the LasR ligand binding domain. Synthesized compounds are then analyzed for QS regulation in a LasR GFP reporter assay.

Small molecules as potential regulators of quorum sensing

245th National Meeting (2013)

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