a method for structure–activity analysis of quorum-sensing signaling peptides from naturally transformable streptococci群体感应信号肽的结构活性分析方法从自然可变形的链球菌.pdfVIP

A Method for Structure–Activity Analysis of Quorum-Sensing Signaling Peptides from Naturally Transformable Streptococci XiaoLin Tian, Raymond T. Syvitski, TianLei Liu, Nadine Livingstone, David L. Jakeman, and Yung-Hua Li Abstract Many species of streptococci secrete and use a competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) to initiate quorum sensing for induction of genetic competence, bacteriocin production, and other activities. These signaling molecules are small, unmodified peptides that induce powerful strain-specific activity at nano-molar con- centrations. This feature has provided an excellent opportunity to explore their structure–function rela- tionships. However, CSP variants have also been identified in many species, and each specifically activates its cognate receptor. How such minor changes dramatically affect the specificity of these peptides remains unclear. Structure–activity analysis of these peptides may provide clues for understanding the specificity of signaling peptide–receptor interactions. Here, we use the Streptococcus mutans CSP as an ex- ample to describe methods of analyzing its structure–activity relationship. The methods described here may provide a platform for studying quorum-sensing signaling peptides of other naturally transformable streptococci. Key words: Quorum sensing, Signaling peptides, Structure–activity analysis, Circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Streptococcus mutans. Abbreviations CSP Competence-stimulating peptide QS Quorum sensing CD Circular dichroism NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance HPLC High-pressure liquid chromatography TFE Trifluoroethanol DPC Dodecylphosphocholine Shulin