Quorum sensing

Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing (pronunciation: /ˈkwɔːrəm ˈsɛnsɪŋ/) is a system of stimulus and response correlated to population density. Many species of bacteria use quorum sensing to coordinate gene expression according to the density of their local population.

Etymology

The term "quorum sensing" originates from the term "quorum" which refers to the minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid. In the context of bacteria, it refers to the density of the population.

Mechanism

In similar fashion to the workings of a democratic society, each individual bacterium has the ability to cast a vote. The vote comes in the form of a secreted molecule, known as an autoinducer. When the votes are counted and a certain population density is reached (the quorum), the group as a whole changes its behavior.

Types of Quorum Sensing

There are three main types of quorum sensing mechanisms: AHL, AI-2, and Pheromone.

AHL Quorum Sensing is primarily found in Gram-negative bacteria.
AI-2 Quorum Sensing is found in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Pheromone Quorum Sensing is primarily found in Gram-positive bacteria.

Applications

Quorum sensing can control a number of processes, notably the pathogenesis of various bacteria. Understanding quorum sensing is an important factor in combating bacterial diseases. It also has potential applications in industrial fermentation and wastewater treatment.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Quorum sensing
Wikipedia's article - Quorum sensing

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