Autoinducers are small signaling molecules produced by bacteria to communicate with each other in a process called quorum sensing. They regulate gene expression based on the density of the bacterial population.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Autoinducers accumulate in the environment as the bacterial population grows.
Different species of bacteria can have unique autoinducers or share common ones.
Quorum sensing allows bacteria to coordinate behaviors such as biofilm formation, virulence, and bioluminescence.
The concentration of autoinducers must reach a threshold level to trigger changes in gene expression.
There are two main types of autoinducers: Acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) used by Gram-negative bacteria and oligopeptides used by Gram-positive bacteria.