Disruption of Quorum Sensing and Virulence in Burkholderia cenocepacia by a Structural Analogue of the cis -2-Dodecenoic Acid Signal

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an important opportunistic pathogen which can cause life-threatening infections in susceptible individuals, particularly in cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised patients. It usually employs two types of quorum sensing (QS) systems, including the cis -2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) system and N -acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) system, to regulate virulence. In this study, we have designed and identified an unsaturated fatty acid compound ( cis -14-methylpentadec-2-enoic acid [14-Me-C 16:Δ2 ]) that is capable of interfering with B. cenocepacia QS signaling and virulence. We demonstrate that 14-Me-C 16:Δ2 reduced BDSF and AHL signal production in B. cenocepacia . It also impaired QS-regulated phenotypes in various Burkholderia species. These results suggest that 14-Me-C 16:Δ2 could interfere with QS signaling in many Burkholderia species and might be developed as a new antibacterial agent.