Peptide signaling without feedback in signal production operates as a true quorum sensing communication system in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

Iztok Dogsa et al. use mathematical modeling and experimental approaches to investigate how the ComQXPA communication system in Bacillus subtilis initiate a quorum-sensing response without the positive feedback loop dependent on signal molecules seen in many systems. They find that the peptide ComX encodes information about cell density, specific cell growth rate and oxygen concentration, which ensure power-law increase in signal molecule production and enables a sharp transition in gene expression level without the typical feedback loop.