Quorum sensing and bacterial cross-talk in biotechnology.
Only a decade ago, the secretion and perception of small signalling molecules that in turn are transduced to coordinate behaviour of a 'minimal unit' of microorganisms was termed quorum sensing by EP Greenberg and colleagues. Since then, an explosion (or exponential growth) in understanding and prevalence of quorum-sensing systems has ensued, with sightings ranging from virulence in human and plant pathogens to degradative capacity of activated sludge. Not surprisingly, regulatory mechanisms span traditional inducer/repressor motifs homologous to the lac operon to the recently discovered interfering RNAs. Further characterisation of signalling circuits, coupled with creative niche applications, suggest a wealth of opportunity for advancing commercial biotechnology.
March
John C
JC
Center for Biosystems Research, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 5115 Plant Sciences Building, College Park 20742, USA.
Bentley
William E
WE
D000818:Animals; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002460:Cell Line; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D010572:Pest Control, Biological; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction
D011994:Recombinant Proteins