Evaluation of the effect of autoinducers quorum sensing in biofilm formation by species of Rhizobium

Abstract

Bacteria have social behaviors that allow them to synchronize the behavior of all members of the group acting as multicellular entities, increasing their chances of survival in complex environments, often living in communities called biofilms, which consist of a cluster of cells, biotic adherent to a surface (e.g., mucosal tissues) or abiotic (e.g., rocks) involved in a matrix of exopolysaccharides (EPS). Communication processes and cell signaling are essential for the growth and development of all unicellular and multicellular organisms. Microorganisms in the inter and intra-species communication is called quorum sensing and involves the production, detection and response to small extracellular signaling molecules called auto-inducers (AIs) or pheromones. A growing list of autoinducers signal has been recognized, which stand out N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) peptides furanosyl diester, also known as autoinducer-2, gamma-butyrolactone and quinolones. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effect of different culture media and the presence of furanones and AHLs on biofilm formation. Moreover, the proteolytic activity and the detection of genes related to quorum sensing signal molecules produced by cells of bacteria isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris by PCR and sequencing of the PCR amplicon will also be performed.