Three parallel quorum-sensing systems regulate gene expression in Vibrio harveyi.

Jennifer M Henke; Bonnie L Bassler

doi:10.1128/jb.186.20.6902-6914.2004

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PubMed · 15466044

Three parallel quorum-sensing systems regulate gene expression in Vibrio harveyi.

Jennifer M Henke·Bonnie L Bassler

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Abstract

In a process called quorum sensing, bacteria communicate using extracellular signal molecules termed autoinducers. Two parallel quorum-sensing systems have been identified in the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi. System 1 consists of the LuxM-dependent autoinducer HAI-1 and the HAI-1 sensor, LuxN. System 2 consists of the LuxS-dependent autoinducer AI-2 and the AI-2 detector, LuxPQ. The related bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, a human pathogen, possesses System 2 (LuxS, AI-2, and LuxPQ) but does not have obvious homologues of V. harveyi System 1. Rather, System 1 of V. cholerae is made up of the CqsA-dependent autoinducer CAI-1 and a sensor called CqsS. Using a V. cholerae CAI-1 reporter strain we show that many other marine bacteria, including V. harveyi, produce CAI-1 activity. Genetic analysis of V. harveyi reveals cqsA and cqsS, and phenotypic analysis of V. harveyi cqsA and cqsS mutants shows that these functions comprise a third V. harveyi quorum-sensing system that acts in parallel to Systems 1 and 2. Together these communication systems act as a three-way coincidence detector in the regulation of a variety of genes, including those responsible for bioluminescence, type III secretion, and metalloprotease production.

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4-Butyrolactone Bacterial Proteins Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial Homoserine Lactones Luminescent Measurements Signal Transduction Transcription, Genetic Vibrio Vibrio cholerae Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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Jennifer M Henke, Bonnie L Bassler. 2004. Three parallel quorum-sensing systems regulate gene expression in Vibrio harveyi.. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.186.20.6902-6914.2004

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