LuxS in cellular metabolism and cell-to-cell signaling

INTRODUCTION Many bacteria regulate gene expression in a cell-density-dependent manner; this behaviour has been collectively referred to as quorum sensing or cell-to-cell communication. In its simplest form this process results from the production and accumulation of signaling molecules in the surrounding environment. At some threshold concentration, the signaling molecules (also referred to as autoinducers) bind to receptors on or in the …