Quorum sensing: An imperative longevity weapon in bacteria

Pawar, Shrikant and Lahiri, Chandrajit * (2018) Quorum sensing: An imperative longevity weapon in bacteria. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 12 (4). pp. 96-104. ISSN 1996-0808

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.5897/AJMR2017.8751

Abstract

Bacterial cells exhibit a complex pattern of co-operative behaviour as shown by their capacity to communicate amongst each other. Quorum sensing (QS) is a generic term used for bacterial cell-to-cell communication which secures survival of its species. Many QS bacteria produce and release autoinducers like acyl-homoserine lactone-signaling molecules to regulate cell population density. Different species of bacteria utilize different QS molecules to regulate its gene expression. A free-living marine bacterium, Vibrio harveyi, uses two QS system to control the density-dependent expression of bioluminescence (lux), commonly classified as sensor and autoinducer system. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, QS not only controls virulence factor production but also biofilm formation. It is comprised two hierarchically organised systems, each consisting of an autoinducer synthetase (LasI/RhlI) and a corresponding regulator protein (LasR/RhlR). Biofilms produced by Pseudomonas, under control of QS, are ubiquitous in nature and contribute towards colonizations in patients of cystic fibrosis. Other organisms like Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus also utilize QS mechanism to control virulence in otitis and endocarditic decay. Overall, QS plays a major role in controlling bacterial economy. It is a simple, practical and effective mechanism of production and control. If the concentration of enzyme is critical, bacteria can sense it and perform a prompt activation or repression of certain target genes for controlling its environment. This review focuses on the QS mechanisms and their role in the survival of few important bacterial species.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Quorum sensing (QS); quorum sensing peptides (QSPs); auto-inducer 1 (AI-1); auto-inducer 2 (AI-2); acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Others > Non Sunway Academics
Sunway University > School of Engineering and Technology [formerly School of Science and Technology until 2020] > Dept. Biological Sciences moved to SMLS wef 2021
Depositing User: Dr Janaki Sinnasamy
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2018 08:50
Last Modified: 26 Apr 2019 07:11
URI: http://eprints.sunway.edu.my/id/eprint/900

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