Quorum Sensing - Bacterial Communication: Mini Review

Quorum Sensing - Bacterial Communication: Mini Review. J. Immunol. Immunopathol. 20(2): 83–92.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a bacterial communication that regulates gene expression in bacteria as a response to bacterial cell density through release of autoinducers (AIs). Bacteria respond to Als when they reach minimal threshold by altering the gene expression. Bacteria use QS circuits to regulate a diverse range of physiological activities like symbiosis, virulence, competence, conjugation, antibiotic production, motility, sporulation and biofilm formation. In general, Gram-negative bacteria use acylated homoserine lactones as AIs, and Grampositive bacteria use processed oligo-peptides to communicate. There is a strong correlation between QS and expression of genes related many of the virulence. QS has an important role in controlling many of the process such as biofilm formation, sporulation, virulence, bioluminescence and others. Quorum quenching (QQ) is a mechanism that prevents QS through use of AI antagonist and enzymes destroying AIs, thereby preventing the expression of genes related to virulence thus preventing diseases. The QQ therapeutic approach promises a lower risk of resistance development, food spoilage and disease therapeutics. Here, we briefed the current understanding of existing QS mechanisms in bacteria. ln future, this mechanism might be greatly explored in disease treatment, prevention, combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and prevention of food spoilage.