Biological screening of a diverse set of AI-2 analogues in Vibrio harveyi suggests that receptors which are involved in synergistic agonism of AI-2 and analogues are promiscuous

C1-alkyl AI-2 analogues do not induce bioluminescence in V. harveyi on their own but enhance the bioluminescence induced by AI-2 in a synergistic fashion. A new facile synthesis of AI-2 facilitates the synthesis of a diverse set of AI-2 analogues and biological screening suggests that receptors that are involved in the synergistic bioluminescence production in V. harveyi are promiscuous.