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Published on: May 23, 2020
Multidimensional regulation of biological nitrogen removal by quorum sensing signals: from molecular mechanisms to
Ziying Wei1, Yanhe Han1, Haoyi Wang1
1Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology, Beijing 102617, China.
Abstract:
Quorum sensing (QS) molecules are central mediators in biological nitrogen removal (BNR). This review introduces a novel "environment-signal-multiscale BNR regulation" paradigm, advancing beyond general wastewater studies to dissect specific regulatory pathways. First, we classify extracellular signals, including N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), autoinducer-2 (AI-2), and diffusible signal factors (DSFs), alongside key intracellular second messengers like cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP) and cyclic diadenylate (c-di-AMP). We systematically link the dynamic environmental modulation of these signals to their hierarchical regulatory impacts on BNR systems. Quantitatively, QS regulation operates from the micro-molecular level-where exogenous AHL addition upregulates functional genes (e.g., hzsA by 24%) and boosts specific enzyme activities up to 1.66-fold-to the macro-ecological level. Macroscopically, QS accelerates low-temperature biofilm formation by 25%, increases sludge granulation size (up to 37%), and enhances key metabolic activities by 16-42%. Ultimately, by deciphering these multiscale networks, this review provides crucial theoretical foundations and strategic insights for leveraging QS in advanced wastewater treatment technologies.
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