Quorum sensing signaling molecules involved in the production of violacein by Pseudoalteromonas

The production of violacein by Pseudoalteromonas sp. 520P1 has many features of quorum sensing. Signaling molecules were extracted from bacterial culture and subsequently identified as N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-homoserine lactone and N-tetradecanoyl-homoserine lactone. The former but not the latter induced the production of violacein in strain 520P1. We conclude that N-(3-oxooctanoyl)-homoserine lactone is a signaling molecule involved in the production of violacein.