信号分子AI-2的检测方法研究进展

Methods for the determination of autoinducer-2—a review

摘要:

很多细菌在生长过程中会产生一些小分子量的自诱导分子，也称为信号分子，当其随着细胞数量增加而积累到一定阈值时能够调控细菌特定基因的表达，这个过程称为群体感应(Quorum sensing，QS)。多数自诱导分子具有物种特异性，但很多种属的细菌都会产生一种共同的自诱导分子AI-2，AI-2被认为是细菌种间交流的通用语言。定量检测AI-2对于研究与其相关的生理生化过程是非常必要的。然而，目前还没有一种标准的定量检测AI-2的方法。因此，本文就目前关于AI-2的检测方法进行综述，为后续研究者提供参考。

Abstract:

Quorum sensing is a cell-cell signaling process that many bacteria use to regulate gene expression by synthesizing small signaling molecules called autoinducers as a function of the density of the population. Most autoinducers are species-specific, however, one autoinducer called autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is produced and detected by many species of bacteria and utilized in interspecies communication. Quantitative determination of AI-2 is essential for exploring the bacterial AI-2-related physiological and biochemical processes. However, there is no standardized method for the quantification of AI-2. Thus, this paper reviews the methods of determination of AI-2 and addresses the need in further research.