Review

"Quorum sensing": Do the microorganisms communicate?

  • Mehmet Ali Saraçlı

Received Date: 12.06.2006 Accepted Date: 05.09.2006 Gulhane Med J 2006;48(4):244-250

Many Gram positive and negative bacteria, and fungi communicate with each other by means of different signal molecules. As well as releasing the signalling molecules, microbes are also able to measure the concentration of the molecules in their environment as a clue of the number of microbial population. By this way, they behave in a well-coordinated manner, regulate their virulence factors in order to escape from the immune response of the host and establish a successful infection process. In this respect, if we can block the quorum sensing systems (signaling pathways) we may be able to prevent development of an infection, to produce new, safer and more powerful antibiotics.

Keywords: Microorganism, Quorum Sensing