Water-soluble cranberry extract inhibits Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation possibly through modulating the second messenger 3', 5' - Cyclic diguanylate level

PLoS One. 2018 Nov 7;13(11):e0207056. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207056. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) and nucleotide-based second messengers are vital signaling systems that regulate bacterial physiology in response to changing environments. Disrupting bacterial signal transduction is a promising direction to combat infectious diseases, and QS and the second messengers are undoubtedly potential targets. In Vibrio cholerae, both QS and the second messenger 3', 5'-cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) play a central role in controlling motility, motile-to-sessile life transition, and virulence. In this study, we found that water-soluble extract from the North American cranberry could significantly inhibit V. cholerae biofilm formation during the development/maturation stage by reducing the biofilm matrix production and secretion. The anti-biofilm effect by water-soluble cranberry extract was possibly through modulating the intracellular c-di-GMP level and was independent of QS and the QS master regulator HapR. Our results suggest an opportunity to explore more functional foods to fight stubborn infections through interference with the bacterial signaling systems.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Quorum Sensing / drug effects
  • Vaccinium macrocarpon / chemistry*
  • Vibrio cholerae / cytology
  • Vibrio cholerae / drug effects*
  • Vibrio cholerae / metabolism
  • Vibrio cholerae / physiology*
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Plant Extracts
  • Water
  • bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid
  • Cyclic GMP

Grants and funding

The authors received no specific funding for this work.