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Chemotaxis towards autoinducer 2 mediates autoaggregation in Escherichia coli

Author

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  • Leanid Laganenka

    (Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO))

  • Remy Colin

    (Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO))

  • Victor Sourjik

    (Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology and LOEWE Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO))

Abstract

Bacteria communicate by producing and sensing extracellular signal molecules called autoinducers. Such intercellular signalling, known as quorum sensing, allows bacteria to coordinate and synchronize behavioural responses at high cell densities. Autoinducer 2 (AI-2) is the only known quorum-sensing molecule produced by Escherichia coli but its physiological role remains elusive, although it is known to regulate biofilm formation and virulence in other bacterial species. Here we show that chemotaxis towards self-produced AI-2 can mediate collective behaviour—autoaggregation—of E. coli. Autoaggregation requires motility and is strongly enhanced by chemotaxis to AI-2 at physiological cell densities. These effects are observed regardless whether cell–cell interactions under particular growth conditions are mediated by the major E. coli adhesin (antigen 43) or by curli fibres. Furthermore, AI-2-dependent autoaggregation enhances bacterial stress resistance and promotes biofilm formation.

Suggested Citation

  • Leanid Laganenka & Remy Colin & Victor Sourjik, 2016. "Chemotaxis towards autoinducer 2 mediates autoaggregation in Escherichia coli," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms12984
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12984
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    Cited by:

    1. Maor Grinberg & Tomer Orevi & Nadav Kashtan, 2019. "Bacterial surface colonization, preferential attachment and fitness under periodic stress," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.
    2. David Scheidweiler & Ankur Deep Bordoloi & Wenqiao Jiao & Vladimir Sentchilo & Monica Bollani & Audam Chhun & Philipp Engel & Pietro de Anna, 2024. "Spatial structure, chemotaxis and quorum sensing shape bacterial biomass accumulation in complex porous media," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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