Prokaryotic cell-cell interaction

Abstract

Cell wall components are used by many microorganisms for interactions with and within their habitat. A few examples of interactions between microbial cells are described here, covering the biological system and the cell surface components used for these interactions. Three systems are described in detail, namely the formation of fruiting bodies by myxobacteria, the sex pheromone system of Enterococcus faecalis, and coaggregations of tooth-associated bacteria. Further bacterial systems using flagella, bundle-forming pili, sex-pili, and clumping reactions for interactions are also covered. Only recently have interactions of archaeal cells been studied in detail; two of these systems are described, namely interactions of Pyrococcus furiosus via flagella, and the SM1 archaeal cells adhering to each other via a very special cell appendage. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.