What triggers quorum sensing?

quorum sensing, mechanism by which bacteria regulate gene expression in accordance with population density through the use of signal molecules. The signal molecules, known as autoinducers, are secreted into the environment by bacteria and gradually increase in concentration as the bacteria population grows.

What is bacterial quorum sensing and how does it work?

Quorum sensing is the regulation of gene expression in response to fluctuations in cell-population density. Quorum sensing bacteria produce and release chemical signal molecules called autoinducers that increase in concentration as a function of cell density.

What are quorum sensing inhibitors?

Quorum sensing can be inhibited by preventing the AHL molecule from binding to its receptor. It can be competitive inhibition by molecules that bind to the receptor in preference to the AHL molecule. Quorum sensing blockage by molecules produced by various plants, algae, and other organisms.

What is AHL quorum sensing?

N-Acyl homoserine lactones (Abbreviated as AHLs or N-AHLs) are a class of signaling molecules involved in bacterial quorum sensing. Quorum sensing is a method of communication between bacteria that enables the coordination of group-based behavior based on population density.

How does Pseudomonas aeruginosa use quorum sensing?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of humans that uses a process called quorum sensing (QS) to regulate gene transcription in response to cell density (1, 2). The P. aeruginosa genome encodes two complete acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS systems: the LasR-LasI system and the RhlR-RhlI system.

Where do Autoinducers bind?

Once intracellular concentration increases, autoinducers bind to their receptors, triggering signaling cascades that alter transcription factor activity and therefore, gene expression. For many bacteria, the change in gene expression includes downregulation of autoinducer synthesis in a negative feedback loop.