Peptide signaling without feedback in signal production operates as a true quorum sensing communication system in Bacillus subtilis.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) is based on signal molecules (SM), which increase in concentration with cell density. At critical SM concentration, a variety of adaptive genes sharply change their expression from basic level to maximum level. In general, this sharp transition, a hallmark of true QS, requires an SM dependent positive feedback loop, where SM enhances its own production. Some communication systems, like the peptide SM-based ComQXPA communication system of Bacillus subtilis, do not have this feedback loop and we do not understand how and if the sharp transition in gene expression is achieved. Based on experiments and mathematical modeling, we observed that the SM peptide ComX encodes the information about cell density, specific cell growth rate, and even oxygen concentration, wh

SUBMITTER: Dogsa I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7794433 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature