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