Spatial heterogeneity of autoinducer regulation systems

Autoinducer signals enable coordinated behaviour of bacterial populations, a phenomenon originally described as quorum sensing. Autoinducer systems are often controlled by environmental substances as nutrients or secondary metabolites (signals) from neighbouring organisms. In cell aggregates and bio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2012-04, Vol.12 (4), p.4156-4171
Main Authors: Hense, Burkhard A, Müller, Johannes, Kuttler, Christina, Hartmann, Anton
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
autoinducer regulation network
Bacteria
Biofilms
Control
division of work
Ecology
Heterogeneity
hybrid push/pull control
Mathematical models
Models, Theoretical
Neighbouring
Networks
Nutrients
Quorum Sensing
Sensors
spatial heterogeneity
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Summary:Autoinducer signals enable coordinated behaviour of bacterial populations, a phenomenon originally described as quorum sensing. Autoinducer systems are often controlled by environmental substances as nutrients or secondary metabolites (signals) from neighbouring organisms. In cell aggregates and biofilms gradients of signals and environmental substances emerge. Mathematical modelling is used to analyse the functioning of the system. We find that the autoinducer regulation network generates spatially heterogeneous behaviour, up to a kind of multicellularity-like division of work, especially under nutrient-controlled conditions. A hybrid push/pull concept is proposed to explain the ecological function. The analysis allows to explain hitherto seemingly contradicting experimental findings.
ISSN:1424-8220
1424-8220
DOI:10.3390/s120404156