Communication and Autoinduction in the species Listeria monocytogenes. A central role for the agr system

Abstract : In order to withstand changes in their environment, bacteria have evolved mechanisms to sense the surrounding environment, integrate these signals and adapt their physiology to thrive under fluctuating conditions. Among these mechanisms, the ability of bacteria to exchange information between cells has become a dynamic field of interest for microbiologists over the past four decades. First described by Nelson et al.,1 this phenomenon often referred as either cell-cell communication, Quorum Sensing and/or AutoInduction involves the synthesis of small signal molecules called autoinducers. These signal molecules may be sensed by the bacterial population in the vicinity and induce regulation of gene expression. To date, three major communication systems have been described in bacteria. In this mini-review, we discuss the involvement of known communication systems in the transmission of information in the species Listeria monocytogenes. We will also discuss the latest findings on the role of communication in the regulation by Listeria monocytogenes of major adaptive strategies.