Mechanism of agonism and antagonism of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing regulator QscR with non-native ligands

摘要

LuxR-type transcription factors mediate acyl-homoserine lactone signaling during Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing. Biophysical and structural studies of the quorum sensing control receptor (QscR) with synthetic ligands reveals distinct characteristics of agonist and antagonist actions. Increased dimerization and stability of QscR induced by agonists is favorable for DNA recognition, but QscR with antagonists is more labile and less competent to recognize DNA. These findings reveal new strategies for antagonizing quorum sensing.