Title | Bacterial quorum sensing: its role in virulence and possibilities for its control. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2012 |
Authors | Rutherford, ST, Bassler, BL |
Journal | Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med |
Volume | 2 |
Issue | 11 |
Date Published | 2012 Nov 01 |
ISSN | 2157-1422 |
Keywords | Bacillus cereus, Bacterial Infections, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Quorum Sensing, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Virulence Factors |
Abstract | <p>Quorum sensing is a process of cell-cell communication that allows bacteria to share information about cell density and adjust gene expression accordingly. This process enables bacteria to express energetically expensive processes as a collective only when the impact of those processes on the environment or on a host will be maximized. Among the many traits controlled by quorum sensing is the expression of virulence factors by pathogenic bacteria. Here we review the quorum-sensing circuits of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae. We outline these canonical quorum-sensing mechanisms and how each uniquely controls virulence factor production. Additionally, we examine recent efforts to inhibit quorum sensing in these pathogens with the goal of designing novel antimicrobial therapeutics.</p> |
DOI | 10.1101/cshperspect.a012427 |
Alternate Journal | Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med |
PubMed ID | 23125205 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC3543102 |
Grant List | F32 AI085922 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States F32AI085922 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States 5R01AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States R01 AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States / / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States 5R01GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States |