from Zulma R. Suárez-Moreno, Juan F. González, Giulia Devescovi and Vittorio Venturi writing in Bacterial Regulatory Networks:
Bacteria regulate gene expression in a population dependent manner using a sophisticated mechanism based on the production and sensing of chemical signals, known as quorum sensing. Such synchronized response in bacterial populations constitutes a form of multicellularity and enables adaption and survival in challenging environments. Although current evidence shows that the predominant signaling molecules produced by Gram-negative bacteria are N-acyl derivatives of homoserine lactones (AHLs), bacteria use a wide variety of signals. In this chapter we provide an overview of quorum sensing in Gram-negative bacteria, and discuss current and future trends in this field of research.
Further reading: Bacterial Regulatory Networks Related publications