Recent Progresses on AI-2 Bacterial Quorum Sensing Inhibitors

Peng      Zhu; Minyong      Li

doi:10.2174/092986712803414187

Abstract

Quorum sensing (QS) is a communication procedure that predominates gene expression in response to cell density and fluctuations in the neighboring environment as a result of discerning molecules termed autoinducers (AIs). It has been embroiled that QS can govern bacterial behaviors such as the secretion of virulence factors, biofilm formation, bioluminescence production, conjugation, sporulation and swarming motility. Autoinducer 2 (AI-2), a QS signaling molecule brought up to be involved in interspecies communication, exists in both gram-negative and -positive bacteria. Therefore, novel approaches to interrupt AI-2 quorum sensing are being recognized as next generation antimicrobials. In the present review article, we summarized recent progresses on AI-2 bacterial quorum sensing inhibitors and discussed their potential as the antibacterial agents.

Keywords: AI-2, bacteria, inhibitors, LuxP, LuxS, quorum sensing, bioluminescence, predominates gene expression, antibacterial agents, autoinducers