Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell communication mechanism mediated by small diffusible signaling molecules. Previous studies showed that RpfR controls Burkholderia cenocepacia virulence as a cis -2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) QS signal receptor. Here, we report that the fatty acyl-CoA ligase DsfR (BCAM2136), which efficiently catalyzes in vitro synthesis of lauryl-CoA and oleoyl-CoA from lauric acid and oleic acid, respectively, acts as a global transcriptional regulator to control B . cenocepacia virulence by sensing BDSF. We show that BDSF binds to DsfR with high affinity and enhances the binding of DsfR to the promoter DNA regions of target genes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the homolog of DsfR in B. lata , RS02960, binds to the target gene promoter, and perception of BDSF enhances the binding activity of RS02960. Together, these results provide insights into the evolved unusual functions of DsfR that control bacterial virulence as a response regulator of QS signal.
Summary Here, we present a protocol for identifying the components of a quorum sensing signaling system in bacteria. We describe the steps for characterizing the novel response regulator and receptor of the cis -2-dodecenoic acid (BDSF) quorum sensing signaling system in Burkholderia cenocepacia . The technical assays of this protocol include generating a random mutant library, chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq), electrophoretic mobility transfer assay (EMSA), microscale thermophoresis (MST), and molecular simulation docking. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al. 1 and Yang et al. 2