Presence of the Hmq System and Production of 4-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-2-Alkylquinolines Are Heterogeneously Distributed between Burkholderia cepacia Complex Species and More Prevalent among Environmental than Clinical Isolates
Pauline M. L. Coulon, James E. A. Zlosnik, Éric Déziel
Abstract
operon responsible for the biosynthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkylquinolines (HMAQs), molecules analogous to the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) system of P. aeruginosa. Our finding that the prevalences of the Hmq system and HMAQ production are very different between various Bcc species suggests a key role in niche adaptation or pathogenicity. This is supported by a significant reduction in plant growth promotion in the absence of HMAQ production for a beneficial Bcc strain.
Topics & Concepts
Quorum sensingBurkholderia cepacia complexBurkholderiaBiologyMicrobiologyBacteriaPathogenicityPseudomonas aeruginosaBiofilmGeneticsBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingLegume Nitrogen Fixing SymbiosisCystic Fibrosis Research Advances