Quorum Sensing Regulation in Phytopathogenic Bacteria

Quorum sensing is a type of chemical communication by which bacterial populations control expression of their genes in a coordinated manner. This regulatory mechanism is commonly used by pathogens to control the expression of genes encoding virulence factors and that of genes involved in the bacterial adaptation to variations in environmental conditions. In phytopathogenic bacteria, several mechanisms of quorum sensing have been characterized. In this review, we describe the different quorum sensing systems present in phytopathogenic bacteria, such as those using the signal molecules named N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL), diffusible signal factor (DSF), and the unknown signal molecule of the virulence factor modulating (VFM) system. We focus on studies performed on phytopathogenic bacteria of major importance, including Pseudomonas, Ralstonia, Agrobacterium, Xanthomonas, Erwinia, Xylella, Dickeya, and Pectobacterium spp. For each system, we present the mechanism of regulation, the functions targeted by the quorum sensing system, and the mechanisms by which quorum sensing is regulated.

Automated summary

Quorum sensing is a mechanism by which bacterial populations coordinate gene expression through chemical communication, commonly used by pathogens to control virulence factor and environmental adaptation gene expression. Several quorum sensing mechanisms have been identified in phytopathogenic bacteria, utilizing different signal molecules. Research focuses on major phytopathogenic bacteria and their quorum sensing systems.