Biofilm and Quorum Sensing in Archaea

Abstract

In the article, we presented a brief description of the Archaea, considering their structure, physiology and systematics. Based on the analysis of the literature, we bring closer the mechanism of biofilm formation, including extracellular polymeric substances as well as cellular organelles, such as archaella, pili and ‘hami’. The method of forming a biofilm depends on the type of Archaea and the environment in which it naturally lives. We are also introducing the phenomenon of quorum-sensing, as a mechanism of communication of Archaea in the environment. This phenomenon corresponds to similar molecules as bacteria, namely acylated homoserines lactones, QS peptides, autoinducer-2 and -3 and others. In the case of biofilms and the occurrence of the phenomenon of quorum sensing, it can be concluded that these phenomena are very important for the life of Archaea. The phenomena described seem to be conservative, because both in Archaea and Bacteria are regulated by the same mechanisms.

Keywords

• Archaea
• biofilm
• environment
• quorum sensing