Screening assays that allow for the identification of agents that increase acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) acylase expression and/or AHL acylase activity in .gamma.-proteobacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Such agents are useful, for example, for inhibiting quorum sensing activity of such bacteria by increasing degradation of long chain, but not short chain, AHLs and, therefore, can be useful for treating infections by such bacteria.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60/475,745, filed Jun. 4, 2003, and of U.S. Ser. No. 60/574,366 (Caltech Ref. No. 4113-P), filed May 25, 2004 (entitled "The protein encoded by gene Pa1032 is expressed during the degradation of long acyl chain acyl-homoserine lactones by P. aeruginosa and exhibits a potent acyl-homoserine-lactone degrading activity"), the entire content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
