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Quorum Sensing Modulation in Microbiota by Endogenous Hormones and Neurotransmitters
Location: 64
Mentor: Mr. Kevin Nuno
Quorum sensing (QS) is a biological process that is integral to the survival of all microbiota. QS is known to play an important role in biofilm formation and virulence factor production in pathobionts. Specifically, the gut and vaginal microbiota have been known to be phenotypically affected by endogenous hormones and neurotransmitters, as some of these endogenous compounds can modulate QS circuits. Multiple hormones and neurotransmitters were screened using whole-cell biosensors for the 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazin-2-ol (DPO), long chain acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), short chain AHLs, and autoinducer-2 (AI-2) QS circuits. Cortisone modulated the AI-2 QS circuit and pregnenolone modulated the long chain AHL QS circuit, while cortisol modulated the DPO QS circuit. Further elucidation of microbial endocrinology will help us thoroughly understand host-microbiome interactions and how hormones specifically interact with microbiota at physiological levels. This will lay down the groundwork on quorum quenching therapeutics by reducing the virulence and pathogenicity of the microbiota as potential antimicrobials.
