Bacterial quorum sensing, cooperativity, and anticipation of stationary-phase stress

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1218092109
• Publication Date: 2012-11-13T18:32:23Z
• Authors: Eunhye Goo; Charlotte D. Maje...; Jae Hyung An; Josephine R. Chan...; Young-Su Seo; Hyeonheui Ham; Jae Yun Lim; Hongsup Kim; Bongsoo Lee; Moon Sun Jang; E. Peter Greenberg; Ingyu Hwang
• Keywords: Homoserine; Autoinducer

Acyl-homoserine lactone-mediated quorum sensing (QS) regulates diverse activities in many species of Proteobacteria. QS-controlled genes commonly code for production secreted or excreted public goods. The acyl-homoserine lactones are synthesized by members the LuxI signal synthase family and detected cognate LuxR transcriptional regulators. QS affords a means population density-dependent gene regulation. Control goods via provides fitness benefit. Another potential role is to anticipate overcrowding. As density increases stationary phase approaches, might induce functions important existence phase. Here we provide evidence that three related genus Burkholderia allows individuals survive stationary-phase stress. Survival requires QS-dependent activation cellular enzymes required oxalate, which serves counteract ammonia-mediated alkaline toxicity during Our findings an example serving as life at carrying capacity activating expression cytoplasmic enzymes, altering metabolism, producing shared resource good, oxalate.