Targeting agr- and agr-Like Quorum Sensing Systems for Development of Common Therapeutics to Treat Multiple Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections

Sensors

Brian Gray¹  Pamela Hall¹ 

[1] Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy/MRF 208, MSC09 5360, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: quorum sensing;    peptide pheromones;    bacterial pathogenesis;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s130405130

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Invasive infection by the Gram-positive pathogen Staphylococcus aureus is controlled by a four gene operon, agr that encodes a quorum sensing system for the regulation of virulence. While agr has been well studied in S. aureus, the contribution of agr homologues and analogues in other Gram-positive pathogens is just beginning to be understood. Intriguingly, other significant human pathogens, including Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis contain agr or analogues linked to virulence. Moreover, other significant human Gram-positive pathogens use peptide based quorum sensing systems to establish or maintain infection. The potential for commonality in aspects of these signaling systems across different species raises the prospect of identifying therapeutics that could target multiple pathogens. Here, we review the status of research into these agr homologues, analogues, and other peptide based quorum sensing systems in Gram-positive pathogens as well as the potential for identifying common pathways and signaling mechanisms for therapeutic discovery.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.