ABSTRACT

Quorum sensing is a cell-cell communication process that allows bacteria to detect and respond to cell population density. Upon reaching a critical concentration, quorum sensing enables bacteria population to communicate and coordinate collective behaviour. This coordination mechanism allows bacteria to regulate gene expression accordingly through the use of signal molecules. Pathogenic bacteria use quorum sensing in the expression of virulence factors in disease and infection processes. Once a population reaches a threshold, relatively harmless bacteria overpower host defence mechanism activating genes regulating biofilm formation and virulence. Although it is very common among bacteria; molecular mechanisms, signal structures, gene regulons, and behavioural responses associated with quorum-sensing systems may greatly differ. Moreover, the way different types of bacteria apply quorum sensing varies widely. In this article we review the quorum-sensing circuits of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa to illustrate uniqueness of controlling virulence factors in each trait. Quorum sensing has been considered an attractive arena for the development of new antimicrobial therapeutics. Here we also discuss some of the recent techniques to encounter bacterial virulence based on quorum sensing inhibition mechanism. Keywords: Quorum sensing, gene expression, virulence factors, S.aureus, P. aeruginosa, inhibition mechanism
Publication date: 01/08/2020

https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2020/August/MS_IJBPAS_2020_5128.pdf

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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2020/9.8.5128