Quorum sensing integrates environmental cues, cell density and cell history to control bacterial competence

Stefany Moreno-Gámez, Robin A. Sorg, Arnau Domenech, Morten Kjos, Franz J. Weissing, G. Sander Doorn () and Jan-Willem Veening ()
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Stefany Moreno-Gámez: University of Groningen
Robin A. Sorg: University of Groningen
Arnau Domenech: University of Groningen
Morten Kjos: University of Groningen
Franz J. Weissing: University of Groningen
G. Sander Doorn: University of Groningen
Jan-Willem Veening: University of Groningen

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae becomes competent for genetic transformation when exposed to an autoinducer peptide known as competence-stimulating peptide (CSP). This peptide was originally described as a quorum-sensing signal, enabling individual cells to regulate competence in response to population density. However, recent studies suggest that CSP may instead serve as a probe for sensing environmental cues, such as antibiotic stress or environmental diffusion. Here, we show that competence induction can be simultaneously influenced by cell density, external pH, antibiotic-induced stress, and cell history. Our experimental data is explained by a mathematical model where the environment and cell history modify the rate at which cells produce or sense CSP. Taken together, model and experiments indicate that autoinducer concentration can function as an indicator of cell density across environmental conditions, while also incorporating information on environmental factors or cell history, allowing cells to integrate cues such as antibiotic stress into their quorum-sensing response. This unifying perspective may apply to other debated quorum-sensing systems.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00903-y

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