肺炎链球菌群体感应系统的研究进展

Research Progress of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Quorum Sensing System

肺炎链球菌可引起人类多种疾病,其通常无症状地定植在人类鼻咽部,当人体免疫力低下时可引起肺炎、中耳炎、脑膜炎等疾病。肺炎链球菌由定植菌转变为病原菌的机制仍不完全清楚,多项研究资料表明肺炎链球菌凭借群体感应(QS)系统分泌化学信号分子以促进细菌间的相互交流、启动靶基因转录以及增强细菌适应性与致病力。肺炎链球菌的QS系统主要包括ComABCDE系统、BlpABCSRH系统、LuxS/AI-2系统,其生物学功能在促进肺炎链球菌对外源DNA的摄取和重组、生物膜形成、对竞争细菌的裂解等方面发挥重要作用,从而增强对宿主的定植和致病能力。

Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause a variety of human diseases.It is usually colonized in the human nasopharynx asymptomatically.It can cause pneumonia,otitis media,meningitis and other diseases under hypoimmunity.The mechanism of Streptococcus pneumoniae transforming from colonized bacteria to pathogenic bacteria is still not fully understood.Several studies have shown that Streptococcus pneumoniae secrete chemical signaling molecules through quorum-sensing(QS)systems to promote interbacterial communication,initiate target gene transcription,and enhance bacterial adaptability and virulence.The QS system of Streptococcus pneumoniae mainly includes:ComABCDE system,BlpABCSRH system,LuxS/AI-2 system.Their biological functions are to promote the uptake and reorganization of exogenous DNA,the formation of biofilms,and the lysis of competing bacteria of Streptococcus pneumoniae.QS systems play an important role in enhancing colonization and pathogenicity to the host.