Quorum Sensing and Oxidative Stress in Insect Symbionts
Author Information
Author(s): Pontes Mauricio H., Babst Markus, Lochhead Robert, Oakeson Kelly, Smith Kari, Dale Colin
Primary Institution: Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
Hypothesis
Does quorum sensing in Sodalis glossinidius enhance the oxidative stress response?
Conclusion
Quorum sensing in Sodalis glossinidius primes the oxidative stress response, increasing the expression of related genes under high cell density conditions.
Supporting Evidence
- Quorum sensing increases the expression of genes involved in oxidative stress response.
- High cell density leads to increased oxidative stress in symbiotic bacteria.
- Quorum sensing regulates the expression of genes that help bacteria manage oxidative damage.
Takeaway
Bacteria in tsetse flies can talk to each other and this helps them deal with stress when they are in large numbers.
Methodology
The study used a tiling microarray to analyze gene expression in response to the quorum sensing molecule OHHL.
Limitations
The study did not assess the functionality of truncated genes in detail.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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