Open AccessSecondary metabolites and other small molecules as intercellular pathogenic signals
Author(s) -
Dufour Nicholas,
Rao Reeta Prusty
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2010.02154.x
Subject(s) - microorganism , intracellular , antimicrobial , biology , small molecule , exploit , microbiology and biotechnology , computational biology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , computer science , computer security
Microorganisms often use small chemicals or secondary metabolites as informational cues to regulate gene expression. It is hypothesized that microorganisms exploit these signals to gain a competitive advantage. Here, we present examples of pathogens that use this strategy to exclude other microorganisms from the site of infection. An emerging theme is that inhibiting these systems presents a novel approach to antimicrobial therapies.