title: Bacterial cell-to-cell communication: sorry, can't talk now - gone to lunch!
abstract: The identification of novel bacterial cell-to-cell communication (quorum sensing) systems based on diffusible signal molecules, such as indole and the LuxS autoinducer-2, requires discrimination between true signalling molecules and metabolites present in culture supernatants. This depends on rigorous chemical characterisation and demonstration that the molecule controls cellular responses beyond those required to metabolise or detoxify the signal.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infections and Immunity, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, NG7 2UH, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winzer
authors.forename: Kim R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hardie
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D007783:Lactones / Q000378:metabolism; D015290:Second Messenger Systems
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D007211:Indoles; D007783:Lactones; C091088:N-octanoylhomoserine lactone; D006714:Homoserine; C030374:indole; D013437:Carbon-Sulfur Lyases; C117753:LuxS protein, Bacteria