Quorum sensing integrates environmental cues, cell density and cell history to control bacterial competence.

ABSTRACT: Streptococcus pneumoniae becomes competent for genetic transformation when exposed to an autoinducer peptide known as competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). This peptide was originally described as a quorum-sensing signal, enabling individual cells to regulate competence in response to population density. However, recent studies suggest that CSP may instead serve as a probe for sensing environmental cues, such as antibiotic stress or environmental diffusion. Here, we show that competence induction can be simultaneously influenced by cell density, external pH, antibiotic-induced stress, and cell history. Our experimental data is explained by a mathematical model where the environment and cell history modify the rate at which cells produce or sense CSP. Taken together, model and experiments i

SUBMITTER: Moreno-Gamez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5636887 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature