Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry Analogues of Pseudomonas aeruginosa signalling molecules to tackle infections

Abstract

The emergence of antibiotic resistance coupled with the lack of investment by pharmaceutical companies necessitates a new look at how we tackle bacterial infections. An intriguing tactic is the interruption of bacterial communication systems. This non-biocidal approach would circumvent the evolutionary pressure on bacteria to mutate and develop resistance. In many pathogenic microorganisms, communi-cation systems, collectively termed quorum sensing (QS), have been observed to control a number of bacterial behaviours including expression of virulence factors and the development of biofilms. QS signal-ling molecules and their biomimetics, therefore, represent a rational target for the disruption of coopera-tive behaviour and thus the development of novel antimicrobial strategies. Herein we review recent devel-opments towards the interference of Pseudomonas aeruginosa QS using signalling molecules and their mimetics.