Bacterial quorum-sensing network architectures.

TitleBacterial quorum-sensing network architectures.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsNg, W-L, Bassler, BL
JournalAnnu Rev Genet
Volume43
Pagination197-222
Date Published2009
ISSN1545-2948
KeywordsGene 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>

DOI10.1146/annurev-genet-102108-134304
Alternate JournalAnnu Rev Genet
PubMed ID19686078
PubMed Central IDPMC4313539
Grant ListR01 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