This invention provides a gene, qsbA, which encodes a protein useful for
inactivating certain bacterial quorum-sensing signal molecules (N-acyl
homoserine lactones) which participate in bacterial virulence and biofilm
differentiation pathways. This gene was isolated from Ralstonia sp.,
strain XJ12B. The invention also provides the QsbA protein, which
possesses N-acyl homoserine lactone inactivating activity.
