Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Quantifying Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Type III Secretion System Activity Following Iron Starvation and Anaerobic Growth
Published on: May 31, 2024
Functional quorum sensing systems affect biofilm formation and protein expression in Yersinia pestis
Alexander G Bobrov1, Scott W Bearden, Jacqueline D Fetherston
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA. bobrov@uky.edu
Abstract:
Gram-negative bacteria predominantly use two types of quorum sensing (QS) systems--LuxI-LuxR, responsible for synthesis of N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHL or AI-1 signal molecule), and LuxS, which makes furanones (AI-2 signal molecule). We showed that LuxS and two LuxI-LuxR (YtbIR and YpsIR) systems are functional in Y. pestis. Four different AHL molecules were detected in Y. pestis extracts using TLC bioassays. Our data suggest that YtbIR is responsible for the production of long chain AHLs. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that biofilm formation is decreased in an ytbIR ypsIR luxS mutant. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed altered levels of protein expression in a Y. pestis triple QS mutant at 26 degrees C and 37 degrees C.
Related Concept Videos
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Bacterial Signaling
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Plague
Biofilms
Global Regulatory Systems

