LuxR-type quorum sensing receptor (LuxR) (LuxR)

LuxR-type quorum sensing receptors are a family of bacterial transcription factors that coordinate gene expression in response to population density, a process known as quorum sensing (Whitehead et al., 2001, PubMed: 11544355). These receptors are primarily found in Gram-negative bacteria and function by sensing small signaling molecules called N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs). When the concentration of AHLs reaches a threshold, they bind to the LuxR-type receptor, inducing a conformational change that typically leads to protein dimerization and binding to specific DNA sequences called "lux boxes" (Papenfort & Bassler, 2016, PubMed: 26916309). This binding event activates the transcription of various genes involved in collective behaviors, most notably the production of virulence factors and the formation of biofilms, which are critical for the establishment of chronic infections (Defoirdt, 2018, PubMed: 29453357). Because LuxR-type receptors control the pathogenicity of bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa without being essential for cell survival, they are considered attractive targets for anti-virulence therapies. Inhibiting these receptors can attenuate infection and increase bacterial susceptibility to the host immune system or conventional antibiotics, potentially offering a way to treat infections while minimizing the development of antibiotic resistance (O'Loughlin et al., 2013, PubMed: 23918341).

Other names

LuxR-type transcriptional regulatorLuxR homologN-acyl homoserine lactone receptorAHL receptorQuorum sensing transcription factor

Competitive inhibition of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) binding to the ligand-binding domain, which prevents receptor dimerization and subsequent DNA binding to lux-box promoter regions (Papenfort & Bassler, 2016, PubMed: 26916309).