title: Cyclic diguanylate signaling in Gram-positive bacteria.
abstract: The nucleotide second messenger 3'-5' cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) is a central regulator of the transition between motile and non-motile lifestyles in bacteria, favoring sessility. Most research investigating the functions of c-di-GMP has focused on Gram-negative species, especially pathogens. Recent work in Gram-positive species has revealed that c-di-GMP plays similar roles in Gram-positives, though the precise targets and mechanisms of regulation may differ. The majority of bacterial life exists in a surface-associated state, with motility allowing bacteria to disseminate and colonize new environments. c-di-GMP signaling regulates flagellum biosynthesis and production of adherence factors and appears to be a primary mechanism by which bacteria sense and respond to surfaces. Ultimately, c-di-GMP influences the ability of a bacterium to alter its transcriptional program, physiology and behavior upon surface contact. This review discusses how bacteria are able to sense a surface via flagella and type IV pili, and the role of c-di-GMP in regulating the response to surfaces, with emphasis on studies of Gram-positive bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Erin B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA rita_tamayo@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tamayo
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D010861:Fimbriae, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D005407:Flagella / Q000378:metabolism*; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D056265:Microbial Interactions / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: C062025:bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid; D006152:Cyclic GMP
keywords: Gram-positive; adherence; biofilm; cyclic diguanylate; motility; signaling