Talking through chemical languages: Quorum sensing and bacterial communication

Abstract

Bacteria constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms which have been cohabiting with us for a very long time. Nevertheless, understanding them is a magnificent task. Communication among bacteria, both inter-species and intra-species constitutes a highly specific but complicated process known as ‘Quorum sensing’. Many essential group behaviours (such as bioluminescence, virulence, swarming, nodulation, biofilm formation and many more) in bacterial population are guided by quorum sensing which involves production of molecules, acting as signals. Recognition of the signals results in gene expression, which ultimately regulates the collective behaviour beneficial for bacterial survival. The signalling molecules are different for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this chapter, we have discussed various classes of signalling molecules, their production, recognition and signal transduction.