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Quorum sensing in African trypanosomes.

Federico Rojas1, Keith R Matthews1

  • 1Institute for Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Microbiology
|August 24, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

African trypanosomes use cell-cell communication, or quorum sensing, to coordinate group behaviors. This involves sensing parasite density via oligopeptide signals to prepare for transmission, impacting disease spread.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Parasitology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Microbial eukaryotes use cell-cell communication for group behaviors like environmental adaptation and development.
  • African trypanosomes, protozoan parasites causing disease in sub-Saharan Africa, are a key model for studying eukaryotic quorum sensing.
  • Previously, the specific signals and pathways for trypanosome density sensing were not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for quorum sensing in African trypanosomes.
  • To elucidate the signal and signal transduction pathway for density sensing in these parasites.
  • To discuss the implications of this mechanism for disease spread, especially in coinfections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on microbial quorum sensing.
  • Analysis of studies detailing signal transduction pathways in African trypanosomes.
  • Comparative analysis of quorum sensing mechanisms across different microbial systems.

Main Results:

  • African trypanosomes utilize oligopeptide signals generated by released peptidases to monitor cell density.
  • This density sensing is crucial for coordinating the generation of transmission stages within the mammalian host.
  • The elucidated pathway provides an elegant example of quorum sensing in eukaryotic microbes.

Conclusions:

  • Quorum sensing is a vital mechanism for African trypanosomes to regulate group behaviors and prepare for transmission.
  • Understanding this mechanism offers insights into disease dynamics and potential intervention strategies.
  • Parallels exist with quorum sensing in other microbial systems, highlighting conserved biological strategies.