A novel heterologous expression strategy for the quorum-quenching enzyme MomL in Lysobacter enzymogenes to the inhibit pathogenicity of Pectobacterium

Quorum-quenching (QQ) enzymes can block the quorum-sensing (QS) system and prevent the expression of QS-controlled pathogenic factors in bacteria. However, the low expression levels of QQ proteins in the original host bacteria have affected their widespread application. In this study, we heterologously expressed momL, encoding a QQ enzyme with high activity, in Lysobacter enzymogenes. A “yellow-to-white” selection marker and the high-constitutive-expression promoter PgroEL were used in this novel heterologous expression system. In addition, we optimized the spacer between the SD sequence and the initiator to improve the efficiency of the expression system by 1.54-fold. The engineered strain LeMomL degraded the AHL molecule and the virulence factors of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovora (Pcc). Additionally, LeMomL significantly decreased the disease caused by Pcc in Chinese cabbages and carrot root tissues. In conclusion, this novel and facile L. enzymogenes expression strategy has good prospects and is an ideal approach for foreign protein expression.