AHL bioisosteres as a strategy for minimizing or eliminating the virulence of gram-negative bacteria

2013 
All biological phenomena can be observed, understood and treated as chemical processes. Since the fundamental constitution of living beings is molecular, chemical and biological phenomena are closely related. A biological phenomenon that has been the focus of recent research is the bacterial cell-to-cell communication known as quorum sensing. This communication is carried out through small easily diffusible molecules, such as acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs), in Gram-negative bacteria. These small molecules are capable of sensing the density of the bacterial population. Apparently as a result of evolution and in an attempt to avoid alerting the host immune system of their presence, pathogenic microorganisms delay the production of virulence factors until the density of the bacterial population is sufficiently high to assure a successful infection.
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