What is Quorum sensing?

The ability of a bacteria to communicate with

other bacteria is called QUORUM SENSING Instead of a language, bacteria use signaling molecules to communicate These signaling molecules are released into the environment Bacteria also measure the number of signaling molecules

BACTERIAL TALK

The biological definition of QUORUM SENSING The phenomenon whereby the accumulation of signaling molecules enable a single cell to sense the number of bacteria These bacteria use various different types of signaling molecules QUORUM SENSING is intensively studied in different organisms e.g Marine bacteria and several pathogenic bacteria

Why do bacteria talk to each other?

QUORUM SENSING enables bacteria to

co-ordinate with each other To respond quickly in order to survive the environmental changes Responses include: Adaptation to availability of nutrients Biofilm formation (defense) Avoidance of toxic compounds

Types of signaling molecules

Oligopeptides in gram-positive bacteria N-Acyl Homoserine Lactones in gram-

negative bacteria Family of auto-inducers in both gram-positive and gram-negative

Diseases associated with biofilm include:

Chronic bacterial prostatitis Chronic rhinosinusitis Cystic fibrosis pneumonia

Mechanism:
QS bacteria secrete signaling molecules and

has receptors that detect the signaling molecules Inducer + Receptor Trancription of certain genes(inducer synthesis)

Mechanism
Signaling molecules secreted Detected by surrounding bacteria Activation of receptor only when inducer conc. Passes a threshold Up-regulation if specific genes Transcription in all cells at same time Cell Cell communication

E.g Bioluminescence in V.fischeri

History of Auto-inducers
Marine bioluminescence bacteria -V.fischeri

cultured in liquid medium Shows bioluminescence in high conc. Conclusion: Inhibitor in the media removed by high cell density Scientists Kempner & Hamson worked(1968)

 Other Scientists: Nealson & Eberhard detected the presence of (activator molecules) AUTO-INDUCERS instead of

inhibitors in the media Molecule produced in V.fischeri was 1st isolated and characterized by Eberhard (1981) Identified as N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C6-HSL).

V.fischeri
Marine bacterium Free-living or in symbiotic association with

fish /squid Colonises in specialised light organs causing bioluminescence Help the squid Euprymna scolopes to attract prey and camoflage. No bioluminescence in free-living state

V.fischeri

Quorum sensing in V.fischeri

At low cell densities, the luxICDABE genes

(luxCDABE genes are responsible for bioluminescence) are transcribed at a low level and the small amounts of 3-oxo-C6-HSL produced diffuse out of the cell At high cell densities, 3-oxo-C6-HSL accumulates in the local environment and therefore also inside the cell. Transcription of luxICDABE appears to be increased by a complex of the LuxR protein and 3-oxo-C6-HSL binding to a region of DNA called the lux box. In this way the 3-oxo-C6-HSL autoinduces its own synthesis and hence amplifies the quorum sensing signal.

Quorum sensing in V.fischeri

V.harveyi
Rod-shaped,gram-negative,

bioluminescent,marine No growth at 4 C and above 35 C found free-swimming in tropical marine waters commensally in the gut microflora of marine animals, and as both a primary and opportunistic pathogen of marine animals Milky seas effect

The cellular structure of V. harveyi, whose polar flagella help to facilitate quorum sensing by allowing it to move rapidly towards an attractant (other V. harveyi cells) and establish hi

V.harveyi

Quorum sensing in V.harveyi

Applications
Degrade the signaling molecules preventing

bacteria to communicate called QUORUM QUENCHING Prevent bacteria to become pathogenic thus finally prevent cell inflamation,damage and toxicity