Title | Bacterial quorum-sensing network architectures. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Ng, W-L, Bassler, BL |
Journal | Annu Rev Genet |
Volume | 43 |
Pagination | 197-222 |
Date Published | 2009 |
ISSN | 1545-2948 |
Keywords | Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Quorum Sensing, Vibrio, Vibrio cholerae |
Abstract | <p>Quorum sensing is a cell-cell communication process in which bacteria use the production and detection of extracellular chemicals called autoinducers to monitor cell population density. Quorum sensing allows bacteria to synchronize the gene expression of the group, and thus act in unison. Here, we review the mechanisms involved in quorum sensing with a focus on the Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio cholerae quorum-sensing systems. We discuss the differences between these two quorum-sensing systems and the differences between them and other paradigmatic bacterial signal transduction systems. We argue that the Vibrio quorum-sensing systems are optimally designed to precisely translate extracellular autoinducer information into internal changes in gene expression. We describe how studies of the V. harveyi and V. cholerae quorum-sensing systems have revealed some of the fundamental mechanisms underpinning the evolution of collective behaviors.</p> |
DOI | 10.1146/annurev-genet-102108-134304 |
Alternate Journal | Annu Rev Genet |
PubMed ID | 19686078 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4313539 |
Grant List | R01 GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States R01GM065859 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States R01 AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States F32 GM082061 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States R01AI054442 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States F32GM082061 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States |