Research progress in functional diversity of quorum sensing signaling molecule PQS in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract:

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic pathogen that can cause persistent infection in immunocompromised patients. The infection of P. aeruginosa is dependent on its virulence factors, most of which are regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) system. P. aeruginosa has four QS systems:las, rhl, pqs, and iqs. The 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (Pseudomonas quinolone signal, PQS), as a signal molecule in the pqs system of P. aeruginosa, can not only regulate the expression of diverse virulence factors but also affect a variety of physiological processes of microorganisms and hosts. This review summarizes the biological functions of PQS, such as mediating the QS system, regulating biofilm formation, mediating outer-membrane vesicle biogenesis, iron acquisition regulating host immune activities and cytotoxicity and providing population protection. The purpose of this review is to highlight the functional diversity of P. aeruginosa PQS and provide guidance for studying new PQS functions and developing antimicrobial agents.