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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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The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
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The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
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Autoinducer-2-mediated communication network within human gut microbiota.

Qingying Fan1, Hengxi Sun2, Xueyuan Lin1

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Human gut microbes use quorum sensing (QS) for communication, with autoinducer-2 (AI-2) being the most common signal. This study reveals AI-2

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Systems Biology

Background:

  • Quorum sensing (QS) is a critical bacterial communication process.
  • QS regulates intestinal microecology, host nutrition, and metabolism.
  • Understanding QS in the human gut microbiome is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and diversity of QS systems in the human gut microbiota.
  • To identify the main QS signals and their associated genes in gut microbes.
  • To explore the functional roles and communication modes mediated by QS signals.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 289,232 prokaryotic genomes from the Unified Human Gastrointestinal Genome collection.
  • Identification and characterization of QS signal synthase and receptor genes.
  • Metatranscriptomic analysis to assess gene expression in the human gut.
  • Communication network analysis.

Main Results:

  • Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is the most prevalent QS signal, with the luxS synthase gene found in 2039 species.
  • 299 species possess genes for AI-2 receptors (LuxP-, LsrB-, dCache_1-, GAPES1-types).
  • AI-2 receptors exhibit diverse functionalities, including roles in chemotaxis and signaling.
  • AI-2 mediated interactions are widespread across major gut phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, etc.).

Conclusions:

  • AI-2 is a dominant QS signal in the human gut microbiota.
  • Diverse AI-2 mediated interspecies communication pathways exist.
  • QS gene expression occurs in the human gut under various health states.
  • Findings provide insights for engineering gut microbiota and synthetic consortia.