Iztok Dogša (Author), Mihael Špacapan (Author), Anna Oslizlo (Author), Tjaša Danevčič (Author), Žiga Pandur (Author), Ines Mandić-Mulec (Author)

Abstract

Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) is based on signal molecules (SM), which increase in concentration with cell density. At critical SM concentration, a variety of adaptive genes sharply change their expression from basic level to maximum level. In general, this sharp transition, a hallmark of true QS, requires an SM dependent positive feedback loop, where SM enhances its own production. Some communication systems, like the peptide SM-based ComQXPA communication system of Bacillus subtilis, do not have this feedback loop and we do not understand how and if the sharp transition in gene expression is achieved. Based on experiments and mathematical modeling, we observed that the SM peptide ComX encodes the information about cell density, specific cell growth rate, and even oxygen concentration, which ensure power-law increase in SM production. This enables together with the cooperative response to SM (ComX) a sharp transition in gene expression level and this without the SM dependent feedback loop. Due to its ultra-sensitive nature, the ComQXPA can operate at SM concentrations that are 100–1000 times lower than typically found in other QS systems, thereby substantially reducing the total metabolic cost of otherwise expensive ComX peptide.

Keywords

Bacillus subtilis;komunikacija med celicami;zaznavanje kvoruma;signalni peptidi;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 579.22/.26:579.852.1
COBISS: 47412483 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2399-3642
Views: 448
Downloads: 218
Average score: 0 (0 votes)
Metadata: JSON JSON-RDF JSON-LD TURTLE N-TRIPLES XML RDFA MICRODATA DC-XML DC-RDF RDF

Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: Bacillus subtilis;komunikacija med celicami;zaznavanje kvoruma;signalni peptidi;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-12
Issue: ǂVol. ǂ4
Chronology: 2021
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01553-5
ID: 12717713