变异链球菌密度感应信号分子AI-2的研究进展

Development in study of quorum sensing signal molecule AI-2 in Streptococcus mutans

密度感应是细菌根据菌群密度的变化,分泌和感应特定的信号分子,激活相关基因的表达,从而调节细菌生物学行为的一种机制。目前细菌信号分子自体诱导物Ⅱ(autoinducer 2,AI-2)被认为是细菌通用的信号分子,参与口腔细菌间的交流,调控牙菌斑生物膜的稳定性。本文即对密度感应信号分子AI-2的合成转运及调控作用方面的研究进展作一综述。

Quorum sensing is a process of cell-to-cell communication in Streptococcus mutans which secretes a special signal molecule, then induces and actives the expression of related genes, in order to coordinate the biological behaviors of Streptococcus mutarts. Recently a new signal molecule, AI-2, is regarded as a general signal molecule, involoving in communication among oral bacteria, regulating the stability of biofilms. In this review, we summarize the previous researches on the signal molecule AI-2 in Streptococcus mutans in recent years.