title: Cell-cell communication in Gram-negative bacteria.
abstract: Over the last decade or so, a wealth of research has established that bacteria communicate with one another using small molecules. These signals enable the individuals in a population to coordinate their behaviour. In the case of pathogens, this behaviour may include decisions such as when to attack a host organism or form a biofilm. Consequently, such signalling systems are excellent targets for the development of new antibacterial therapies. In this review, we assess how Gram-negative bacteria use small molecules for cell-cell communication, and discuss the main approaches that have been developed to interfere with it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Welch
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mikkelsen
authors.forename: Jane E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Swatton
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Gemma L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Freija G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Glansdorp
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Spring
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology*; D014774:Virulence