Investigation of halogenated furanones as inhibitors of quorum sensing-regulated bioluminescence in Vibrio harveyi .

is a Gram-negative marine bacterium that is a model system in the study of quorum sensing (QS). uses multichannel QS, mediated by three signaling molecules. The aim of this study was to synthesize and screen a diverse series of furanones for their potential to inhibit quorum sensing. A library of halogenated furanones was prepared and derivatized using standard Pd-mediated coupling reactions and subsequently evaluated for their effects on bioluminescence. Several furanones inhibited QS-regulated bioluminescence, with -dichlorofuranone and tribromofuranone compounds proving especially effective. Importantly, a number of compounds were effective inhibitors of bioluminescence but did not have an impact on bacterial growth.