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 P. 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
JournalMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume692
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)147-157
Number of pages11
ISSN1064-3745
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2011

ID: 32470248