Quorum Sensing and Microbial Biofilms

Teresa R. de Kievit; Barbara H. Iglewski

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511546297.003

2 - Quorum Sensing and Microbial Biofilms

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2009

Teresa R. de Kievit and

Barbara H. Iglewski

Edited by

Michael Wilson and

Deirdre Devine

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Teresa R. de Kievit: Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Barbara H. Iglewski: Affiliation:
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
Michael Wilson: Affiliation:
University College London
Deirdre Devine: Affiliation:
Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds

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INTRODUCTION

For a long time bacteria were believed to exist as unicellular organisms; however, it is now realized that in nature bacteria are more often found clustered in communities. Within these communities, bacteria are capable of coordinated activity through the use of a sophisticated intercellular communication mechanism called quorum sensing (QS). The capacity to behave collectively as a group has obvious advantages, for example, migration to a more suitable environment/better nutrient supply or adopting a more favourable mode of growth such as sporulation. Recently, QS was discovered to play a role in the formation of biofilms. This latter phenomenon will be the focus of this chapter as we review our current understanding of how QS affects the complex processes of biofilm development. With respect to intercellular communication and biofilms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most intensely studied organisms, and therefore, much of this chapter will concentrate on this bacterium.

QUORUM SENSING

QS exists in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with obvious differences between the two systems (for reviews, see Dunny and Leonard, 1997; Fuqua, Winans, and Greenberg, 1996). Here, we will focus on Gram-negative bacteria, where the two primary components of QS systems are the autoinducer (AI) signal molecule and the transcriptional activator, or R-protein. In general, the ‘language’ used for intercellular communication is based on small, diffusible, self-generated signal molecules called AIs.

Type: Chapter
Information: Medical Implications of Biofilms , pp. 18 - 35

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511546297.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2003

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