ABSTRACT

Introduction

Numerous bacterial behaviors are regulated by a cell-density dependent mechanism known as Quorum Sensing (QS). QS relies on communication between bacterial cells using diffusible signaling molecules known as autoinducers. QS regulates physiological processes such as metabolism, virulence, and biofilm formation. Quorum Quenching (QQ) is the inhibition of QS using chemical or enzymatic means to counteract behaviors regulated by QS.

Areas covered

We examine the main, diverse QS mechanisms present in bacterial species, with a special emphasis on AHL-mediated QS. We also discuss key in vitro and in vivo systems in which interference in QS was investigated. Additionally, we highlight promising developments, such as the substrate preference of the used enzymatic quencher, in the application of interference in QS to counter bacterial virulence.

Expert opinion

Enabled via the recent isolation of highly stable quorum quenching enzymes and/or molecular engineering efforts, the effects of the interference in QS were recently evaluated outside of the traditional model of single species culture. Signal disruption in complex microbial communities was shown to result in the disruption of complex microbial behaviors, and changes in population structures. These new findings, and future studies, may result in significant changes in the traditional views about QS.

中文翻译：

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群体淬灭酶及其对毒力、生物膜和微生物组的影响：对最新进展的回顾。

摘要

介绍

许多细菌行为受称为群体感应 (QS) 的细胞密度依赖性机制调节。QS 依赖于细菌细胞之间使用称为自诱导剂的可扩散信号分子进行通信。QS 调节生理过程，如代谢、毒力和生物膜形成。Quorum Quenching (QQ) 是使用化学或酶促方法抑制 QS 以抵消 QS 调节的行为。

覆盖区域

我们研究了细菌物种中存在的主要、多样的 QS 机制，特别强调 AHL 介导的 QS。我们还讨论了研究QS 干扰的关键体外和体内系统。此外，我们强调了有希望的发展，例如所用酶淬灭剂的底物偏好，在 QS 中应用干扰来对抗细菌毒力。

专家意见

启用通过近期的高度稳定的群体淬灭酶和/或分子工程努力的隔离，在QS干扰的影响，最近评价品种单一文化的传统模式之外。复杂微生物群落中的信号中断被证明会导致复杂微生物行为的中断和种群结构的变化。这些新发现和未来的研究可能会导致关于 QS 的传统观点发生重大变化。