Novel quorum-sensing inhibitor peptide SF derived from Penaeus vannamei myosin inhibits biofilm formation and virulence factors in Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Wenqi Yang, Shuilin Liu, Xueqing Liu, Shuo Yuan, Le An, Anqi Ren, Fengling Bai, Xinran Lv, Jianrong Li, Xuepeng Li, Yuqiong Meng, Rui Ma
Abstract
Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a prevalent pathogen found in seafood. In this pathogen, biofilm production and virulence are regulated by the AI-2/LuxS quorum sensing (QS) system. However, little is known about any bioactive peptides that specifically target the AI-2/LuxS QS system in V. parahaemolyticus . In this study, a novel quorum-sensing inhibitor (QSI) — peptide Ser-Phe (SF) derived from hydrolyzed Penaeus vannamei myosin — was screened using molecular docking analysis. At sub-inhibitory concentrations (0.2, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 mg/mL), peptide SF effectively inhibited AI-2 activity and biofilm formation in V. parahaemolyticus (inhibition rate: 16.53–55.65% and 13.37–56.73%, respectively). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that biofilm structure was disrupted in V. parahaemolyticus treated with peptide SF. Additionally, 1.0 mg/mL peptide SF significantly decreased the secretion of extracellular polysaccharides (inhibition rate: 51.50%), lecithinase (36.51%), protease (39.03%), and diastase (44.93%) and inhibited swarming (49.06%) and swimming behavior (39.00%) in V. parahaemolyticus . The RT-qPCR showed that peptide SF could downregulate QS-related genes ( luxS , luxP , aphA , and opaR ), virulence factor-related genes ( flaA, flgM, and toxR ), and biofilm-related genes ( cpsA and mshA ) in V. parahaemolyticus . These results indicated that peptide SF may serve as a novel QSI for controlling biofilm formation and virulence factors production in V . parahaemolyticus . • A novel quorum-sensing inhibitor (QSI) peptide SF, was isolated from Penaeus vannamei myosin. • Peptide SF can inhibit the AI-2/LuxS QS system of Vibrio parahaemolyticus. • Peptide SF inhibits biofilm formation and virulence factors of V. parahaemolyticus. • Peptide SF down-regulates the expression of related genes in V. parahaemolyticus.