Quorum Sensing: Understanding the Linguistic Significance of the Microbial World Thapliyal Anika1,*, Kavita Kumari2, Rajkumar Shalini1 1Institute of Science, Nirma University of Science and Technology, Ahmedabad-382481, (Gujarat) India 2Allahabad Agricultural Institute Deemed University, Allahabad-211007, (U.P.), India *Email: anika.thapliyal@gmail.com
Abstract Microorganisms manage their group behavior by quorum sensing, a process of regulating the expression of some set of genes under the effect of a specialized chemical signal. There are various chemical signals like acyl homoserine lactones in gram negative bacteria, auto inducing peptides in gram positive bacteria and AI-2 signals for inter-specific communication. The diversity of chemical language enables the microbes to synchronize and co-ordinate their behavior in maintaining microbial niches. Quorum sensing is beneficial as well as deleterious to the living systems. Microbial communication systems have their significance in various areas like medicine, environment, agriculture and industry. The gut micro flora signaling in the human gastrointestinal tract, the plant-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere and maintenance of biogeochemical cycles in nature are some of the positive aspects of quorum sensing while environmental biofouling and life-threatening infections are its negative aspects. In nature, quorum sensing signals are disrupted or inhibited by a process of quorum quenching which is the best possible approach to keep a check over the unwanted microorganisms. Finally, the newer approaches include engineering and manipulating not just the microorganisms but their social environment and more precisely their group behavior, to make them more propitious. This review focuses on these aspects, to highlight the importance of deciphering and understanding the communication potential of the microbial world. Top Keywords Quorum sensing, acyl homoserine lactones, auto inducing peptides, AI-2 signals, quorum quenching, rhizosphere, biofouling. Top |