Bacterial small-molecule signaling pathways.

TitleBacterial small-molecule signaling pathways.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsCamilli, A, Bassler, BL
JournalScience
Volume311
Issue5764
Pagination1113-6
Date Published2006 Feb 24
ISSN1095-9203
Keywords4-Butyrolactone, Bacterial Physiological Phenomena, Bacterial Proteins, Biofilms, Cyclic GMP, Escherichia coli Proteins, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial, Genes, Bacterial, Homoserine, Lactones, Models, Biological, Oligopeptides, Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases, Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases, Purine Nucleotides, Quinolones, Second Messenger Systems, Signal Transduction, Virulence
Abstract

<p>Bacteria use diverse small molecules for extra- and intracellular signaling. They scan small-molecule mixtures to access information about both their extracellular environment and their intracellular physiological status, and based on this information, they continuously interpret their circumstances and react rapidly to changes. Bacteria must integrate extra- and intracellular signaling information to mount appropriate responses to changes in their environment. We review recent research into two fundamental bacterial small-molecule signaling pathways: extracellular quorum-sensing signaling and intracellular cyclic dinucleotide signaling. We suggest how these two pathways may converge to control complex processes including multicellularity, biofilm formation, and virulence. We also outline new questions that have arisen from recent studies in these fields.</p>

DOI10.1126/science.1121357
Alternate JournalScience
PubMed ID16497924
PubMed Central IDPMC2776824
Grant List / HHMI / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States
R01 AI045746 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States
R01 AI045746-04 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States