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Bacterial Quorum Sensing in Pathogenic Relationships: Relevance to Complex Signalling Networks and Prospective Applications

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Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is of at most significance in bacterial pathogenic relationships as it permits bacteria to coordinate gene expression of local populations therefore work in harmony. Bacterial growth and virulence usually related to the cooperative release of extracellular factors liberated due to QS. QS enables pathogenic bacteria to control genes promoting invasion, defence and spread of diseases which invariably affect human and animal health besides agricultural productivity. Apparently several bacterial pathogens use QS to regulate premature occurrence of virulence factors to protect themselves from host defence systems. More over emergence of bacterial strains with multiple drug resistance increased the need to develop modern approaches to control bacterial diseases. Since bacterial pathogenesis depends on QS regulatory systems, intervention with QS serves as a novel approach for the therapeutic or prophylactic control of infection. In this review, paradigms of pathogenic relationships, focusing on gram positive and gram negative model microorganisms were elucidated. Thereafter, attention is drawn on the exploitation of QS in antimicrobial therapy and biological control.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    K. V. Deepika &  Pallaval Veera Bramhachari

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  1. K. V. Deepika
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  1. Department of Biotechnology, Krishna University, Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Pallaval Veera Bramhachari

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Deepika, K.V., Pallaval Veera Bramhachari (2018). Bacterial Quorum Sensing in Pathogenic Relationships: Relevance to Complex Signalling Networks and Prospective Applications. In: Pallaval Veera Bramhachari (eds) Implication of Quorum Sensing System in Biofilm Formation and Virulence. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2429-1_6

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