N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine-lactone, a quorum sensing molecule, affects cellular content of nonprotein thiol content in rat lymphocytes: Its relation with intracellular Zn2+

Cellular actions of N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-l-homoserine-lactone (ODHL), a quorum sensing molecule of bacteria, were studied on rat thymocytes using a flow cytometer with appropriate fluorescent dyes to elucidate the effects of ODHL on host cells. A bell-shaped concentration-response relation was observed in the ODHL-induced changes in cellular glutathione content ([GSH]i). ODHL concentration-dependently increased intracellular Zn2+ levels ([Zn2+]i) and cellular O2− content ([O2−]i). The bell-shaped relation induced by ODHL can be explained as follows: a low concentration of ODHL is expected to induce moderate oxidative stress that intracellularly releases Zn2+ by converting thiols to disulfides. A slight elevation of [Zn2+]i may increase the [GSH]i. On the other hand, it is likely that a high concentration of ODHL causes severe oxidative stress that further causes both the decrease in [GSH]i and the increase in [Zn2+]i. Excessive increase in [Zn2+]i may augment oxidative stress that further decreases the [GSH]i. Other notable actions induced by ODHL included the elevation of [Zn2+]i by Zn2+ influx and the increase in [GSH]i under Zn2+-free conditions. Therefore, it is suggested that ODHL elicits diverse actions on host cells.