细菌群体感应LuxR solos蛋白研究进展

Advances in quorum-sensing LuxR solos in bacteria

摘要:

N-酰基高丝氨酸内酯（N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones，AHLs）信号分子介导的群体感应（quorum sensing，QS）是一种普遍的革兰氏阴性细菌信息交流方式。AHL-QS系统包括LuxI型AHLs合成酶和LuxR型受体蛋白。然而，部分革兰氏阴性菌缺失1个或多个LuxI型AHLs合成酶，仅有未配对的LuxR型受体蛋白，该LuxR型受体蛋白称为LuxR solo或Orphan蛋白。LuxR solos蛋白在细菌窃听、种间和种内的信号交流中起重要作用，为群体感应研究领域的热点。本文主要综述细菌LuxR solos蛋白的发现、基本概念、蛋白结构及类型，阐述感应AHLs和非AHLs信号分子的重要LuxR solos蛋白及功能，并对群体感应LuxR solos蛋白的研究前景和意义进行了展望。

Abstract:

Quorum-sensing (QS) involved in the production of N-Acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) is a universal way of communication of gram-negative bacteria. Complete AHL-QS system includes pairs of AHLs synthase belonging to LuxI family and cognate LuxR-family AHLs sensor-regulator. However, many gram-negative bacteria have evidenced the presence of AHL-QS related LuxR-type genes, which are unpaired to a cognate LuxI. These unpaired LuxRs have been called solos or orphans. LuxR solos are thought to be important for bacterial signal perception in eavesdropping, intra-species and inter-kingdom communication, which become research topic in the field of QS. Here, the finding, concept, protein structure, and main types of LuxR solos are illustrated. Furthermore, the function and important protein of LuxR solos associated with sensing AHLs or non-AHLs are reviewed. The prospect and significance of quorum sensing LuxR solos in bacteria are also discussed.