New developments in microbial interspecies signaling

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2009 Apr;12(2):205-14. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2009.01.003. Epub 2009 Feb 27.

Abstract

There is a growing appreciation that in addition to well-documented intraspecies quorum sensing systems, small molecules act as signals between microbes of different species. This review will focus on how bacterial small molecules modulate these interspecies interactions. We will particularly emphasize complex relationships such as those between microbes and insects, interactions resulting in non-antagonistic outcomes (i.e. developmental and morphological processes), how co-culture can lead to the discovery of new small molecules, and the use of known compounds to evoke unexpected responses and mediate crosstalk between microbes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
  • Fungi / physiology*
  • Homoserine / analogs & derivatives
  • Homoserine / metabolism
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / physiology
  • Insecta / physiology*
  • Lactones / metabolism
  • Peptidoglycan / metabolism
  • Quorum Sensing / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Symbiosis / physiology*

Substances

  • Lactones
  • N-octanoylhomoserine lactone
  • Peptidoglycan
  • Homoserine