Gram-negative bacterial communication by N-acyl homoserine lactones: a universal language?
The ability of bacterial cells to use small signalling molecules to monitor population growth may help them to react rapidly to environmental change. Regulatory systems made up of a small sensor molecule, an N-acyl homoserine lactone and a protein effector have been identified recently in a wide range of Gram-negative bacteria. These mediate signal cascades that amplify and coordinate the induction of single or multiple regulons.
Swift
S
S
Dept of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nottingham, UK.
Bainton
N J
NJ
Winson
M K
MK
D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
C088386:homoserine lactone; D015107:4-Butyrolactone