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Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

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Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
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Bacterial signaling can occur within bacteria (intracellular) or between bacteria (intercellular). At times, a group of bacteria behaves like a community. To achieve this, they engage in quorum sensing, the perception of higher cell density that causes changes in gene expression. Quorum sensing involves both extracellular and intracellular signaling. The signaling cascade starts with a molecule called an autoinducer (AI). Individual bacteria produce AIs that move out of the bacterial cell...
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Pathogenic bacteria employ a range of regulatory mechanisms to modulate the expression of virulence genes in response to environmental and host-derived signals. These mechanisms ensure that virulence factors are expressed only under favorable conditions, thereby optimizing infection and survival strategies.Mechanisms of Virulence RegulationKey regulatory strategies include:Two-Component Systems: These consist of a membrane-bound sensor kinase and a cytoplasmic response regulator. Environmental...
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Global Regulatory Systems

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Global regulatory systems in bacteria enable rapid and coordinated responses to environmental changes by integrating sensory inputs with gene expression, ensuring efficient adaptation to fluctuating conditions. Key global regulatory mechanisms include regulons, two-component systems, sigma factors, and secondary messengers.Regulons and Global RegulatorsA regulon is a collection of genes and operons controlled by a common global regulator. These regulators enable bacteria to prioritize resource...
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The organization of prokaryotic genes in their genome is notably different from that of eukaryotes. Prokaryotic genes are organized, such that the genes for proteins involved in the same biochemical process or function are located together in groups. This group of genes, along with their regulatory elements, are collectively known as an operon. The functional genes in an operon are transcribed together to give a single strand of mRNA known as polycistronic mRNA.
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Autocrine Signaling01:01

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Autocrine signaling is one of the many signaling mechanisms that function inside multicellular organisms to carry out intercellular communication. In this type of signaling mechanism, the same cell that secretes an extracellular signaling molecule also expresses the receptors to bind and respond to that signaling molecule.
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A Host-Produced Autoinducer-2 Mimic Activates Bacterial Quorum Sensing.

Anisa S Ismail1, Julie S Valastyan2, Bonnie L Bassler2

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Mammalian cells produce an AI-2 mimic that bacteria detect, influencing bacterial communication and gene expression. This discovery highlights a novel cross-kingdom signaling pathway crucial for host-microbial interactions.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Host-Microbe Interactions

Background:

  • Host-microbial symbioses are critical for health, yet the mechanisms of cross-kingdom communication remain poorly understood.
  • Bacteria use quorum sensing, a process involving autoinducers (AIs), for interspecies communication, with AI-2 proposed as a key interspecies signal in the gut.
  • Understanding these signaling pathways is essential for deciphering the complex dynamics of the gut microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the production and function of AI-2 mimic activity in mammalian epithelia.
  • To determine if mammalian-derived AI-2 mimics can influence bacterial quorum sensing and gene expression.
  • To identify bacterial factors involved in the detection and stimulation of this mammalian AI-2 mimic.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated epithelial AI-2 mimic activity production in response to bacterial stimuli or epithelial barrier disruption.
  • Assessed the detection of the AI-2 mimic by bacterial AI-2 receptors (LuxP/LsrB).
  • Analyzed the activation of quorum-sensing-controlled gene expression in Salmonella typhimurium.
  • Utilized mutagenesis to identify bacterial genes involved in AI-2 mimic interaction.

Main Results:

  • Mammalian epithelia generate an AI-2 mimic activity upon encountering bacteria or experiencing tight-junction disruption.
  • This epithelial AI-2 mimic is recognized by bacterial LuxP/LsrB receptors.
  • The mimic activates quorum-sensing-regulated gene expression in bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium.
  • Bacterial factors are essential for both stimulating and detecting the epithelial AI-2 mimic.

Conclusions:

  • Mammalian epithelia can produce signals mimicking bacterial autoinducer-2 (AI-2), revealing a novel cross-kingdom communication mechanism.
  • This host-derived AI-2 mimic can modulate bacterial behavior by activating quorum sensing.
  • The findings suggest a significant role for this host-bacterial signaling in regulating microbial communities within the mammalian gut and maintaining host-microbial symbiosis.