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<p>The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via plasmid-driven conjugation in pathogenic microbes poses a pressing challenge to global health. Quorum sensing (QS) is pivotal in modulating processes such as biofilm development and the release of virulence determinants, which in turn affect ARG transmission. In this research, an interspecies conjugation model was constructed using <i>Escherichia coli</i> DH5α and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> PAO1 as model strains to explore the impact of cinnamaldehyde, a naturally occurring quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI), on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) under sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). The results revealed that cinnamaldehyde at sub-MICs markedly suppressed transfer frequency without hindering bacterial proliferation. This inhibition of conjugation was largely linked to the suppression of biofilm formation and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, downregulation of QS-related genes <i>rhlI</i> and <i>rhlR</i>, and reduced secretion of virulence factor rhamnolipid, thereby further restricting biofilm-associated ARG dissemination. These mechanisms are all under the governance of the QS system. These findings suggest that cinnamaldehyde, as a QSI, holds promising potential for controlling the spread of bacterial resistance and provides a novel strategy for regulating horizontal gene transfer of ARGs.</p>

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Cinnamaldehyde attenuates intergeneric horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes by disrupting quorum sensing

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月13日

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  • Xiao Qiu,
  • Bingjie Wang,
  • Yunkun Wang

摘要

The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) via plasmid-driven conjugation in pathogenic microbes poses a pressing challenge to global health. Quorum sensing (QS) is pivotal in modulating processes such as biofilm development and the release of virulence determinants, which in turn affect ARG transmission. In this research, an interspecies conjugation model was constructed using Escherichia coli DH5α and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 as model strains to explore the impact of cinnamaldehyde, a naturally occurring quorum sensing inhibitor (QSI), on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) under sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). The results revealed that cinnamaldehyde at sub-MICs markedly suppressed transfer frequency without hindering bacterial proliferation. This inhibition of conjugation was largely linked to the suppression of biofilm formation and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production, downregulation of QS-related genes rhlI and rhlR, and reduced secretion of virulence factor rhamnolipid, thereby further restricting biofilm-associated ARG dissemination. These mechanisms are all under the governance of the QS system. These findings suggest that cinnamaldehyde, as a QSI, holds promising potential for controlling the spread of bacterial resistance and provides a novel strategy for regulating horizontal gene transfer of ARGs.