A Method for Structure–Activity Analysis of Quorum-Sensing Signaling Peptides from Naturally Transformable Streptococci

Biological Procedures Online

XiaoLin Tian¹  Raymond T Syvitski⁴  TianLei Liu¹  Nadine Livingstone¹  David L Jakeman²  Yung-Hua Li³ 

[1] Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

[2] College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

[3] Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, 5981 University Ave. Rm5215, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3J5, Canada

[4] Institute for Marine Biosciences, National Research Council of Canada, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

关键词: Streptococcus mutans;    Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy;    Structure–activity analysis;    Signaling peptides;    Quorum sensing;   

Others  :  797165
DOI  :  10.1007/s12575-009-9009-9

 received in 2009-01-23, accepted in 2009-05-20,  发布年份 2009

【 摘 要 】

Many species of streptococci secrete and use a competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) to initiate quorum sensing for induction of genetic competence, bacteriocin production, and other activities. These signaling molecules are small, unmodified peptides that induce powerful strain-specific activity at nano-molar concentrations. This feature has provided an excellent opportunity to explore their structure–function relationships. However, CSP variants have also been identified in many species, and each specifically activates its cognate receptor. How such minor changes dramatically affect the specificity of these peptides remains unclear. Structure–activity analysis of these peptides may provide clues for understanding the specificity of signaling peptide–receptor interactions. Here, we use the Streptococcus mutans CSP as an example to describe methods of analyzing its structure–activity relationship. The methods described here may provide a platform for studying quorum-sensing signaling peptides of other naturally transformable streptococci.

【 授权许可】

   
2009 Tian et al.

【 图 表 】

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