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Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing allows bacteria to coordinate behaviors in a density-dependent manner using signaling molecules. There are three main quorum sensing systems - AI-1 for gram-negative intraspecies communication using acyl-homoserine lactone, a peptide-based system for gram-positive bacteria, and AI-2 for interspecies communication using furanosyl borate diester. Quorum sensing plays roles in biofilm attachment, maturation, aggregation, dissolution, and dispersal but its functioning can be complicated by signal gradients, metabolic state, and the point of induction within the biofilm. Further study is needed on quorum sensing's effects on biofilm architecture, gene expression over time, and its role in mixed species systems.

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Ataur Rahman
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134 views13 pages

Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing allows bacteria to coordinate behaviors in a density-dependent manner using signaling molecules. There are three main quorum sensing systems - AI-1 for gram-negative intraspecies communication using acyl-homoserine lactone, a peptide-based system for gram-positive bacteria, and AI-2 for interspecies communication using furanosyl borate diester. Quorum sensing plays roles in biofilm attachment, maturation, aggregation, dissolution, and dispersal but its functioning can be complicated by signal gradients, metabolic state, and the point of induction within the biofilm. Further study is needed on quorum sensing's effects on biofilm architecture, gene expression over time, and its role in mixed species systems.

Uploaded by

Ataur Rahman
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Quorum Sensing: Cell-cell

Communication

OEST 740

013008
Outline
• Sociomicrobiology
• What is quorum sensing?
• Introduce
I t d the
th different
diff t quorum sensing
i
systems
• Role in biofilms
• Complications to QS in biofilms
Sociomicrobiology
• The study of group behavior in microbes
• Debate over environmental vs. genetic
determinates
• Biofilms and quorum sensing
• Model for dissecting social behavior at a
genetic level
Quorum Sensing
• The process by which bacteria coordinate their
behaviors in a density-dependent manner,
using signaling molecules.
molecules
• 3 well described systems
– AI-1
AI 1 system
t (Acyl-HSL)
(A l HSL)
– Peptide –based
– AI-2 system
AI-1
AI 1 System
• Gram - negative bacteria
• Intraspecies communication
• Acylated Homoserine Lactone
Peptide –based
based system
• Gram-positive bacteria
• 3 part system: Gene cluster, an enzyme and
p
two-component response
p system
y
AI-2
AI 2 System
• Gram negative
g and
gram positive
bacteria
• Interspecies
communication
• Furanosyl borate
diester
Multiple communication signals
• V.
V harveyi
QS roles in biofilms
• Attachment
• Maturation
• A
Aggregation
i andd di
dissolution
l i
• Dispersal
Complications - Functioning
• Signal Gradients
Complications
• Metabolic state – influence signal production
rate
– Positive autoregulation
Complications
• Point of induction of quorum sensing
– P. aeruginosa : gene regulation primarily occurred
at substratum
– S. aureus
• Important for predicting rates of signal
synthesis through biofilm
– Point
P i t off iinitial
iti l induction
i d ti andd how
h induces
i d
remaining population
Summary
• Further studies are needed on q
quorum sensingg
regulated gene expression
– Onset of QS
Q
– Affects on Onset
• Architecture and pphysical
y flow
• Functional consequences on biofilm
community
• Role in mixed species systems
• Effects
Eff t off signal
i l consumption
ti

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