Bacillus subtilis derived lipopeptides disrupt quorum sensing and biofilm assembly in Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most clinically important pathogens in the world with infections leading to high rates of morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals. S. aureus’ ability to form biofilm protects individual cells from antibiotics and promotes the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes. Therefore, new strategies aimed to inhibit biofilm growth and disassemble mature biofilms are urgently needed. Probiotic species, namely Bacillus subtilis, are gaining interest as a potential therapeutic against S. aureus for their ability to reduce S. aureus colonization and virulence. Here, we collected and screened 1123 Bacillus strains obtained from a variety of agricultural environments in search of isolates with strong antibiofilm activity against clinical multi-drug resistant S. aureus. We selected a single strain, B. subtilis 6D1, based on its ability to inhibit biofilm growth, disassemble mature biofilm, and improve antibiotic sensitivity of S. aureus biofilms through an Agr quorum sensing interference mechanism. Biochemical and molecular networking analysis of an active organic fraction revealed multiple surfactin isoforms and an uncharacterized compound were both driving this antibiofilm activity. Furthermore, when compared against commercial HPLC grade surfactin obtained from B. subtilis, this active fraction inhibited biofilm formation against all four S. aureus Agr backgrounds and prevented S. aureus -induced cytotoxicity when applied to HT29 human intestinal cell lines better than the commercial standard. Our results demonstrate the mixture of compounds produced by B. subtilis 6D1 can mitigate S. aureus virulence through multiple mechanisms. Contribution to the Field The biofilm formation capability of bacterial pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus , increases these microorganisms’ virulence potential and decreases the efficacy of common antibiotic regiments. Probiotics possess a variety of strain-specific strategies to reduce biofilm formation in competing organisms, however, the mechanisms and compounds responsible for these phenomena often go uncharacterized. In this study, we identified a mixture of small probiotic-derived peptides capable of Agr quorum sensing interference as one of the mechanisms driving antibiofilm activity against S. aureus. This collection of peptides also improved antibiotic killing and protected human gut epithelial cells from S. aureus -induced toxicity by stimulating an adaptive immune response. We conclude that purposeful strain screening and selection efforts can be used to identify unique probiotic strains that possess specially desired mechanisms of action. This information can be used to further improve our understanding of the ways in which probiotic and probiotic-derived compounds can be applied to prevent bacterial infections in clinical and agricultural settings.