title: Quorum sensing in streptococcal biofilm formation.
abstract: Bacteria in their natural ecosystems preferentially grow as polysaccharide-encased biofilms attached to surfaces. Although quorum-sensing (QS) systems directing the 'biofilm phenotype' have been extensively described in Gram-negative bacteria, there is little understanding of the importance of these systems in Gram-positive biofilm formation. Streptococci are a diverse group of Gram-positive bacteria that colonize epithelial, mucosal and tooth surfaces of humans. In several streptococci, competence-stimulating peptide (CSP)-mediated QS has been connected with competence development for genetic transformation. Recent work, especially with bacteria that inhabit the biofilm of dental plaque, has linked CSP stimuli to other cell-density adaptations, such as biofilm formation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Prashanth
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suntharalingam
authors.forename: Dennis G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Cvitkovitch
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005544:Forecasting; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000254:growth & development*; D034367:Streptococcus intermedius
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C061262:ComA protein, Bacteria; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins