Effect of GABA, a bacterial metabolite, on Pseudomonas fluorescens surface properties and cytotoxicity

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Jun 6;14(6):12186-204. doi: 10.3390/ijms140612186.

Abstract

Different bacterial species and, particularly Pseudomonas fluorescens, can produce gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and express GABA-binding proteins. In this study, we investigated the effect of GABA on the virulence and biofilm formation activity of different strains of P. fluorescens. Exposure of a psychotropic strain of P. fluorescens (MF37) to GABA (10-5 M) increased its necrotic-like activity on eukaryotic (glial) cells, but reduced its apoptotic effect. Conversely, muscimol and bicuculline, the selective agonist and antagonist of eukaryote GABAA receptors, respectively, were ineffective. P. fluorescens MF37 did not produce biosurfactants, and its caseinase, esterase, amylase, hemolytic activity or pyoverdine productions were unchanged. In contrast, the effect of GABA was associated to rearrangements of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure, particularly in the lipid A region. The surface hydrophobicity of MF37 was marginally modified, and GABA reduced its biofilm formation activity on PVC, but not on glass, although the initial adhesion was increased. Five other P. fluorescens strains were studied, and only one, MFP05, a strain isolated from human skin, showed structural differences of biofilm maturation after exposure to GABA. These results reveal that GABA can regulate the LPS structure and cytotoxicity of P. fluorescens, but that this property is specific to some strains.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Bicuculline / pharmacology
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Diffusion
  • GABA-A Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • GABA-A Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lipopolysaccharides / chemistry
  • Muscimol / pharmacology
  • Neuroglia / cytology
  • Neuroglia / drug effects
  • Oligopeptides / biosynthesis
  • Pseudomonas fluorescens / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, GABA-A / metabolism
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Surface Properties
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / pharmacology*

Substances

  • GABA-A Receptor Agonists
  • GABA-A Receptor Antagonists
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Oligopeptides
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Muscimol
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
  • pyoverdin
  • Bicuculline