Phytohormones as specific inhibitors of Legionella pneumophila growth

Abstract

Legionellae have been found to be highly susceptible to a variety of biological products, which increases the difficulty of growing these microorganisms. We developed a hypotonic medium in which Legionella pneumophila and other legionellae grow well and multiply rapidly from small inocula. Several amino acids, mainly nonessential ones, inhibited the growth of legionellae at high concentrations (200-1,000 micrograms/ml). We describe a unique biological phenomenon of specific inhibition of growth of L. pneumophila by the plant growth hormone auxin (indole-3-acetic acid) and the closely related indole-3-propionic acid (IPA). The inhibition of growth was probably due to interference with the biosynthesis of L-tryptophan by the phytohormone or IPA. Other bacteria were found to be 50 to 100-fold more resistant to these agents. These findings may explain the peculiar ecology of legionellae. Bacterial susceptibility towards IPA (less than or equal to 5 micrograms/ml) may serve as a specific marker for the presence of legionellae.