Imaging N-acyl homoserine lactone quorum sensing in vivo

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In order to study N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-based quorum sensing in vivo, we present a protocol using an Escherichia coli strain equipped with a luxR-based monitor system, which in the presence of exogenous AHL molecules expresses a green fluorescent protein (GFP). Lungs from mice challenged intratracheally with alginate beads containing both a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain together with the E. coli monitor strain can be investigated at different time points postinfection. Epifluorescent or confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) is used to detect the GFP-expressing E. coli monitor strain in the lung tissues, indicating production and excretion of AHLs in vivo by the infecting P. aeruginosa.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationQuorum Sensing : Methods and Protocols
EditorsLivia Leoni, Giordano Rampion
Number of pages10
Volume1673
PublisherHumana Press
Publication date2018
Pages203-212
ISBN (Print)978-1-4939-7308-8
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-4939-7309-5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
SeriesMethods in Molecular Biology
Number1673
ISSN1064-3745

    Research areas

  • CSLM, Epifluorescence microscopy, In vivo, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pulmonary infection model, Quorum sensing

ID: 186872679