Anti-quorum sensing potential of selenium nanoparticles against LasI/R, RhlI/R, and PQS/MvfR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a molecular docking approach

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an infectious pathogen which has the ability to cause primary and secondary contagions in the blood, lungs, and other body parts of immunosuppressed individuals, as well as community-acquired diseases, such as folliculitis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, and others. This opportunistic bacterium displays drug resistance and regulates its pathogenicity via the quorum sensing (QS) mechanism, which includes the LasI/R, RhlI/R, and PQS/MvfR systems. Targeting the QS systems might be an excellent way to treat P. aeruginosa infections. Although a wide array of antibiotics, namely, newer penicillins, cephalosporins, and combination drugs are being used, the use of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to cure P. aeruginosa infections is extremely rare as their mechanistic interactions are weakly understood, which results in carrying out this study. The present study demonstrates a computational approach of binding the interaction pattern between SeNPs and the QS signaling proteins in P. aeruginosa, utilizing multiple bioinformatics approaches. The computational investigation revealed that SeNPs were acutely ‘locked’ into the active region of the relevant proteins by the abundant residues in their surroundings. The PatchDock-based molecular docking analysis evidently indicated the strong and significant interaction between SeNPs and the catalytic cleft of LasI synthase (Phe105-Se = 2.7 Å and Thr121-Se = 3.8 Å), RhlI synthase (Leu102-Se = 3.7 Å and Val138-Se = 3.2 Å), transcriptional receptor protein LasR (Lys42-Se = 3.9 Å, Arg122-Se = 3.2 Å, and Glu124-Se = 3.9 Å), RhlR (Tyr43-Se = 2.9 Å, Tyr45-Se = 3.4 Å, and His61-Se = 3.5 Å), and MvfR (Leu208-Se = 3.2 Å and Arg209-Se = 4.0 Å). The production of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) was inhibited by the use of SeNPs, thereby preventing QS as well. Obstructing the binding affinity of transcriptional regulatory proteins may cause the suppression of LasR, RhlR, and MvfR systems to become inactive, thereby blocking the activation of QS-regulated virulence factors along with their associated gene expression. Our findings clearly showed that SeNPs have anti-QS properties against the established QS systems of P. aeruginosa, which strongly advocated that SeNPs might be a potent solution to tackle drug resistance and a viable alternative to conventional antibiotics along with being helpful in therapeutic development to cure P. aeruginosa infections.

Green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles from Ducrosia flabellifolia Boiss. aqueous extract: Anti-quorum sensing screening and antimicrobial activities against ESKAPE pathogens

“…In silico approaches highlighted that AgNPs could bind to LasI synthase, RhlI synthase, and transcriptional receptor protein LasR and RhlR of the two P. aeruginosa Las and Rhl quorum sensing systems [58]. Similar results are reported with selenium nanoparticles [59], and silver, zinc oxide, and copper oxide nanoparticles [60].…”

Chitosan–Aspirin Combination Inhibits Quorum-Sensing Synthases (lasI and rhlI) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

“…We examined their effect phenotypically by detecting the AHL production using A. tumefaciens as a biosensor, and analyzing different virulence factors, e.g., motility, pyocyanin production, and biofilm formation. We discussed this combination genotypically by determining its effect on the synthase enzyme genes lasI and rhlI with their important role in the regulation of the QS system in P. aeruginosa, as they initiate the Las and Rhl pathways, and generate the signaling molecules acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) [36].…”

Antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: navigating clinical impacts, current resistance trends, and innovations in breaking therapies

“…LasI, part of the LasR/I system, produces a molecule called 3O-C12-HSL. This molecule plays a vital role in the QS process (Kanak et al, 2023). It binds to LasR, which triggers the expression of LasI and leads to the production of virulence factors.…”