群体感应系统及其在基因线路中的应用

Quorum sensing and its application in genetic circuits

群体感应(quorum sensing,QS)是微生物通过信号分子进行交流以同步个体行为并表现出群体性的现象。近年来,随着QS系统的作用机理与关键基因元件逐渐清晰,QS为合成生物学研究提供了一种动态调控细菌群体性行为的有效工具。应用合成生物学手段联合多基因元件和技术构建基于QS的基因线路在生物基化学品生产以及生物医药等领域有着巨大的应用前景。本文阐述了几种研究得比较清楚且存在比较广泛的微生物QS系统及其原理、群体感应淬灭,归纳了基于QS动态调控功能的基因线路在种内种间通讯的应用,并讨论了QS系统在调节代谢流、调控种群密度和多细胞种类通信等方面的发展前景。

Quorum sensing(QS)is a phenomenon in which microorganisms communicate through signaling molecules to synchronize individual behavior and exhibit collective behavior.In recent years,with the gradual clarification of the mechanism of action and key gene elements of the QS system,it has provided an effective tool for dynamic regulation of bacterial population behavior in synthetic biology research.The application of synthetic biology methods combined with multi gene elements and technologies to construct QS-based gene circuits has enormous application prospects for the production of bio-based chemicals and biopharmaceuticals.This paper elaborates on several microbial QS systems which have been well studied and widely used.Theapplication of gene circuits based on QS dynamic regulation in intra and inter species communication andquorum quenching are summarized.The development prospects of QS systems in regulating metabolic flux,regulating population density,and multicellular species communication are discussed as well in this paper.