Microbial linguistics: perspectives and applications of microbial cell-to-cell communication

BMB Reports

Sung Kuk Lee^1¹  Robert J. Mitchell^1² 

[1] School of Mechanical and Advanced Materials Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), 50 UNIST-gil Ulju-gun, Ulsan 689-798, Republic of Korea^2;School of Nano-Bioscience and Chemical Engineering^1

关键词: Microbial community;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：生物化学/生物物理

来源: Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

【 摘 要 】

Inter-cellular communication via diffusible small molecules is a defining character not only of multicellular forms of life but also of single-celled organisms. A large number of bacterial genes are regulated by the change of chemical milieu mediated by the local population density of its own species or others. The cell density-dependent "autoinducer" molecules regulate the expression of those genes involved in genetic competence, biofilm formation and persistence, virulence, sporulation, bioluminescence, antibiotic production, and many others. Recent innovations in recombinant DNA technology and micro-/nano-fluidics systems render the genetic circuitry responsible for cell-to-cell communication feasible to and malleable via synthetic biological approaches. Here we review the current understanding of the molecular biology of bacterial intercellular communication and the novel experimental protocols and platforms used to investigate this phenomenon. A particular emphasis is given to the genetic regulatory circuits that provide the standard building blocks which constitute the syntax of the biochemical communication network. Thus, this review gives focus to the engineering principles necessary for rewiring bacterial chemo-communication for various applications, ranging from population-level gene expression control to the study of host-pathogen interactions.

【 授权许可】

Unknown