Bacterial Quorum Sensing: Its Role in Virulence and Possibilities for Its Control
- 1Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544
- 2Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
- Correspondence: bbassler{at}princeton.edu
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a process of cell–cell communication that allows bacteria to share information about cell density and adjust gene expression accordingly. This process enables bacteria to express energetically expensive processes as a collective only when the impact of those processes on the environment or on a host will be maximized. Among the many traits controlled by quorum sensing is the expression of virulence factors by pathogenic bacteria. Here we review the quorum-sensing circuits of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae. We outline these canonical quorum-sensing mechanisms and how each uniquely controls virulence factor production. Additionally, we examine recent efforts to inhibit quorum sensing in these pathogens with the goal of designing novel antimicrobial therapeutics.
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