Abstract
Numerous species of bacteria employ a mechanism of intercellular communication known as quorum sensing. AHLs are the most common class of autoinducer used by Gram-negative bacteria; indeed quorum sensing mediated by AHLs represents one of the best-understood bacterial systems at the molecular level. In addition, all small molecules can be used in a conditional manner; that is, they are added at any time point in the experiment, allowing for temporal control of a biological system. Homologues of LuxI and LuxR have been identified in a large number of bacterial genomes with a variety of different AHLs regulating a range of physiological functions. In general, each bacterial species responds specifically to its own unique AHL autoinducer; the same general structure is maintained, but the length and functionality of the acyl chain vary. This orphan receptor, termed QscR has been shown to play a regulatory role within the larger AHL quorum sensing network of this bacterium, including the control of virulence.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 28-67 |
Number of pages | 40 |
Journal | Chemical Reviews |
Volume | 111 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 12 2011 |