Disrupting Bacterial Quorum Sensing: A Review of Protein Families and Natural Inhibitors for Combating Resistance

The Quorum Sensing (QS) system plays a central role in regulating several processes that influence bacterial physiology, communication, and pathogenesis. It governs the production of virulence factors, facilitates biofilm formation, and contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance, all of which are critical to bacterial survival and pathogenicity. QS enables both intraspecies and inter-species bacterial communication, operating through distinct pathways in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the major families of quorum-sensing proteins involved in the working of the signalling molecules. It examines the structural features, functional roles, and mechanisms of action of these proteins, highlighting their significance in bacterial behaviour. Furthermore, the study explores the potential of plant-derived secondary metabolites as natural inhibitors targeting QS systems to disrupt bacterial pathogenicity. Finally, it discusses the implications of exploiting these inhibitors as promising strategies to address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections.