Active regulation of receptor ratios controls integration of quorum-sensing signals in Vibrio harveyi

作者：Teng Shu Wen; Schaffer Jessica N; Tu Kimberly C; Mehta Pankaj; Lu Wenyun; Ong N P; Bassler Bonnie L; Wingreen Ned S^*

来源：Molecular Systems Biology, 2011, 7(1): 491.

DOI：10.1038/msb.2011.30

• feedback loops
• quorum sensing
• signal integration
• single-cell fluorescence microscopy

Quorum sensing is a chemical signaling mechanism used by bacteria to communicate and orchestrate group behaviors. Multiple feedback loops exist in the quorum-sensing circuit of the model bacterium Vibrio harveyi. Using fluorescence microscopy of individual cells, we assayed the activity of the quorum-sensing circuit, with a focus on defining the functions of the feedback loops. We quantitatively investigated the signaling input-output relation both in cells with all feedback loops present as well as in mutants with specific feedback loops disrupted. We found that one of the feedback loops regulates receptor ratios to control the integration of multiple signals. Together, the feedback loops affect the input-output dynamic range of signal transmission and the noise in the output. We conclude that V. harveyi employs multiple feedback loops to simultaneously control quorum-sensing signal integration and to ensure signal transmission fidelity. Molecular Systems Biology 7: 491; published online 24 May 2011; doi: 10.1038/msb.2011.30

• 出版日期2011-5