Ein neues Signalmolekül in Burkholderia cenocepacia

Many social behaviours of bacteria are regulated by quorum sensing through the production and perception of structurally diverse signal molecules. The opportunistic pathogen Burkholderia cenocepacia uses classic N-acyl-homoserinlactones and cis-2-unsatturated fatty acids for communication. A recent study has identified an additional signal, valdiazen, which carries an unusual diazenium diolate group. Genomic information suggests that valdiazen-like compounds constitute a new class of signal molecules.