Inhibition of biofilm formation in Bacillus subtilis by new halogenated furanones

J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2015 May;68(5):297-301. doi: 10.1038/ja.2014.143. Epub 2014 Oct 22.

Abstract

Gram-positive bacteria can cause various infections including hospital-acquired infections. While in the biofilm, the resistance of bacteria to both antibiotics and the human immune system is increased causing difficulties in the treatment. Bacillus subtilis, a non-pathogenic Gram-positive bacterium, is widely used as a model organism for studying biofilm formation. Here we investigated the effect of novel synthesized chloro- and bromo-containing 2(5H)-furanones on biofilm formation by B. subtilis. Mucobromic acid (3,4-dibromo-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone) and the two derivatives of mucochloric acid (3,4-dichloro-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone)-F8 and F12-were found to inhibit the growth and to efficiently prevent biofilm formation by B. subtilis. Along with the low production of polysaccharide matrix and repression of the eps operon, strong repression of biofilm-related yqxM also occurred in the presence of furanones. Therefore, our data confirm that furanones affect significantly the regulatory pathway(s) leading to biofilm formation. We propose that the global regulator, Spo0A, is one of the potential putative cellular targets for these compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / physiology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development*
  • Furans / chemistry
  • Furans / pharmacology*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • 3,4-dichloro-5-((1,3-dichloropropan-2-yloxy))-2(5H)-furanone
  • 3-chloro-5-hydroxy-4-((4-methylphenylsulfanyl))-2(5H)-furanone
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Furans
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • mucobromic acid