A quorum-sensing inhibitor blocks Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation

In this study, we prepare synthetic molecules and analyze them for inhibition of the Pseudomonas quorum-sensing receptors LasR and RhlR. Our most effective compound, meta-bromo-thiolactone, not only prevents virulence factor expression and biofilm formation but also protects Caenorhabditis elegans and human A549 lung epithelial cells from quorum-sensing-mediated killing by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This anti-quorum-sensing molecule is capable of influencing P. aeruginosa virulence in tissue culture and animal models. Our findings demonstrate the potential for small-molecule modulators of quorum sensing as therapeutics.