Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic
Bacteria use a cell-to-cell communication activity termed Quorum sensing to coordinate group behaviors in a cell-density dependent manner. Quorum sensing influences the expression profile of diverse genes, including antibiotic tolerance and virulence determinants, via specific chemical compounds cal...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2013-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00114/full |
| _version_ | 1819231188361936896 |
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| author | Hidetada eHirakawa Haruyoshi eTomita |
| author_facet | Hidetada eHirakawa Haruyoshi eTomita |
| author_sort | Hidetada eHirakawa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bacteria use a cell-to-cell communication activity termed Quorum sensing to coordinate group behaviors in a cell-density dependent manner. Quorum sensing influences the expression profile of diverse genes, including antibiotic tolerance and virulence determinants, via specific chemical compounds called Auto-inducers. During quorum sensing, Gram-negative bacteria typically use an acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) called auto-inducer 1 (AI-1). Since the first discovery of quorum sensing in a marine bacterium, it has been recognized that more than 100 species possess this mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. In addition to being of interest from a biological standpoint, quorum sensing is a potential target for antimicrobial chemotherapy. This unique concept of antimicrobial control relies on reducing the burden of virulence rather than killing the bacteria. It is believed that this approach will not only suppress the development of antibiotic resistance, but will also improve the treatment of refractory infections triggered by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. In this paper, we review and track recent progress in studies on AHL inhibitors/modulators from a biological standpoint. It has been discovered that both natural and synthetic compounds can disrupt quorum sensing by a variety of means, such as jamming signal transduction, inhibition of signal production and break-down and trapping of signal compounds. We also focus on the regulatory elements that attenuate quorum sensing activities and discuss their unique properties. Understanding the biological roles of regulatory elements might be useful in developing inhibitor applications and understanding how quorum sensing is controlled. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:40:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-33534c65a2c345aa8e14761446f3ba60 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T11:40:59Z |
| publishDate | 2013-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-33534c65a2c345aa8e14761446f3ba602022-12-21T17:48:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2013-05-01410.3389/fmicb.2013.0011441895Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibioticHidetada eHirakawa0Haruyoshi eTomita1Gunma UniversityGunma UniversityBacteria use a cell-to-cell communication activity termed Quorum sensing to coordinate group behaviors in a cell-density dependent manner. Quorum sensing influences the expression profile of diverse genes, including antibiotic tolerance and virulence determinants, via specific chemical compounds called Auto-inducers. During quorum sensing, Gram-negative bacteria typically use an acylated homoserine lactone (AHL) called auto-inducer 1 (AI-1). Since the first discovery of quorum sensing in a marine bacterium, it has been recognized that more than 100 species possess this mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. In addition to being of interest from a biological standpoint, quorum sensing is a potential target for antimicrobial chemotherapy. This unique concept of antimicrobial control relies on reducing the burden of virulence rather than killing the bacteria. It is believed that this approach will not only suppress the development of antibiotic resistance, but will also improve the treatment of refractory infections triggered by multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens. In this paper, we review and track recent progress in studies on AHL inhibitors/modulators from a biological standpoint. It has been discovered that both natural and synthetic compounds can disrupt quorum sensing by a variety of means, such as jamming signal transduction, inhibition of signal production and break-down and trapping of signal compounds. We also focus on the regulatory elements that attenuate quorum sensing activities and discuss their unique properties. Understanding the biological roles of regulatory elements might be useful in developing inhibitor applications and understanding how quorum sensing is controlled.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00114/fullQuorum Sensingantibiotic resistanceantagonistinhibitorVirulence controlAuto-inducer |
| spellingShingle | Hidetada eHirakawa Haruyoshi eTomita Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic Frontiers in Microbiology Quorum Sensing antibiotic resistance antagonist inhibitor Virulence control Auto-inducer |
| title | Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| title_full | Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| title_fullStr | Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| title_short | Interference of bacterial cell-to-cell communication: A new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| title_sort | interference of bacterial cell to cell communication a new concept of antimicrobial chemotherapy breaks antibiotic |
| topic | Quorum Sensing antibiotic resistance antagonist inhibitor Virulence control Auto-inducer |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00114/full |
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