Insights into Adaptive Mechanisms of Extreme Acidophiles Based on Quorum Sensing/Quenching-Related Proteins
Shanshan Huang, Xueduan Liu, Weiyi Yang, Liyuan Ma, Huiying Li, Rui Liu, Jingxuan Qiu, Yiran Li
Abstract
Understanding cell-cell communication QS is highly relevant for comprehending the regulatory and adaptive mechanisms among acidophiles in extremely acidic ecosystems. Previous studies focused on the existence and functionality of a single QS system in several acidophilic strains. Four representative genera were selected to decipher the distribution and role of QS and QQ integrated with the conservative and evolutionary analysis of related proteins. It was implicated that intra- or intersignaling circuits may work effectively based on different QS types to modulate biofilm formation and energy metabolism among acidophilic microbes. Some individuals could synthesize QQ enzymes for specific QS molecular inactivation to inhibit undesirable acidophile species. This study expanded our knowledge of the fundamental cognition and biological roles underlying the dynamical communication interactions among the coevolving acidophiles and provided a novel perspective for revealing their environmental adaptability.