A steroidal molecule present in the egg wax of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus inhibits bacterial biofilms

Abstract

The cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus lays eggs in the soil near the roots of grass, or in similar highly moist environments that are prone to biofilm formation. Tick eggs have a protective wax coating that may be a source of nutrients for microorganisms. However, as the eggs remain viable and show no visible signs of microbial colonization, we hypothesized that the coating might have anti-biofilm properties. We show here that the coating inhibits biofilm formation by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, though by different mechanisms. We have identified the anti-biofilm molecule as N-(3-sulfooxy-25-cholest-5-en-26-oyl)-L-isoleucine (boophiline), and we show that it inhibits the expression of fliC (flagellin) and cdrA (biofilm scaffold), whose products are necessary for biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Boophiline is a novel biofilm inhibitor being also effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm. In our study we show evidences of the boophiline mode of action in the protection of arthropod eggs against biofilm colonization.

Anti-staphylococcal activity of Syagrus coronata essential oil: Biofilm eradication and in vivo action on Galleria mellonela infection model

“…The biofilm eradication ability of SCEO was evaluated according to Zimmer et al [32]. For this assay, the S. aureus UFPEDA-02 (ATCC-6538) strain was selected due to its source (wound) and high biofilm production ability.…”

Going beyond the Control of Quorum-Sensing to Combat Biofilm Infections

“…Instead, strong inhibitions of the expression of cdrA (an adhesin, required as biofilm scaffold) and fliC (flagellin, required as flagellar filament) were found. The bactericidal effect was observed for Staphylococcus epidermidis and related Gram-positive bacteria [ 82 ]. These observations point to different targets of the molecule enabling the inhibition of biofilm formation by a broad variety of bacteria.…”

Biofilmes bacterianos patogênicos: aspectos gerais, importância clínica e estratégias de combate1

“…Estudos similares foram desenvolvidos com outros quelantes de ferro, como ácido 2,2'-dipiridil dietilenotriaminopentacético (DTPA), ácido etilenodiaminotetracético (EDTA), etilenodiamina-N,N'-ácido diacético (EDDA) e mesilato de deferoxamina (O'MAY et al, 2009). Destacam-se também produtos naturais com ação antifomação de biofilme como extratos aquosos obtidos de diversas plantas medicinais da caatinga brasileira (TRENTIN et al, 2011a) e o filtrado de bactéria associada à esponja marinha (TRENTIN et al, 2011b), da mesma forma que produtos naturais isolados, como o dipeptídeo cíclico obtido de fungo associado à esponja marinha (SCOPEL et al, 2013) e o peptídeo esteroidal obtido da cera de ovos de carrapato bovino (ZIMMER et al, 2013). Esses compostos isolados, o filtrado bacteriano marinho, bem como a maioria dos extratos vegetais previnem a formação de biofilme sem interferir no crescimento bacteriano, sugerindo vias de ação alternativas para esses metabólitos.…”