The interference of nonylphenol with bacterial cell-to-cell communication

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2020-02, Vol.257, p.113352-113352, Article 113352
• Main Authors: Jayaprada, Thilini, Hu, Jingming, Zhang, Yunyun, Feng, Huajun, Shen, Dongsheng, Geekiyanage, Sudarshanee, Yao, Yanlai, Wang, Meizhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 4-Butyrolactone - analogs & derivatives; 4-Butyrolactone - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Biofilms - drug effects; Cell-to-cell communication; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial - drug effects; LasR protein; Nonylphenol; Phenols - toxicity; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - drug effects; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - genetics; Quorum sensing; Quorum Sensing - drug effects
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113352

The interference of nonylphenol (NP) with humans and animals, especially in hormone systems, has been well-studied. There is rarely any record of its effect on bacteria, which dominate in various environments. In our study, we employed Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as a model microorganism and took its common lifestyle biofilm, mainly regulated by quorum sensing (QS), as a cut-in point to investigate the effect of NP (1, 5, 10 mg L−1) on bacteria. The results showed that more than 5 mg L−1 of NP did interfere with biofilm formation and affected bacterial QS. In detail, the LasI/R circuit, but not the RhlI/R circuit, was considerably obstructed. The decrease in lasI and lasR expression resulted in a significant reduction in N-3-oxo-dodecanoyl homoserine lactone (3OC12-HSL) signals and the downstream production of elastases. Docking results indicated the binding of NP with LasR protein, simulating the binding of 3OC12-HSL with LasR protein, which explained the obstruction of the LasIR circuit. We concluded that NP competed with 3OC12-HSL and blocked 3OC12-HSL binding with the LasR protein, resulting in a direct interference in bacterial biofilm formation. This is the first report of NP interference with bacterial signaling, which is not only helpful to understand the effect of NP on various ecosystems, but is also beneficial to enrich our knowledge of inter-kingdom communication. [Display omitted] •More than 5 mg L−1 NP inhibited bacterial cell-to-cell communication.•NP induced a significant obstruction of LasIR but not the RhlIR circuit.•NP binds with the LasR protein in a way similar to 3OC12-HSL, resulting in blockade of the LasIR circuit. This study shows that a human and animal endocrine disruptor called NP inhibits bacterial biofilm formation by simulating the signal molecule 3OC12-HSL for the LasR receptor. This observation will be beneficial for understanding the toxicity of NP in various ecosystems and to improve knowledge of inter-kingdom communication.