Description
Quorum sensing is a regulatory system used by bacteria for controlling gene expression in response to increasing cell density. A promising field of study involves controlling bacterial infections by quenching their quorum sensing systems. The expression of specific target genes, such as transcriptional regulators belonging to the LuxIR family of proteins, is coordinated by synthesis of diffusible acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) molecules. N-
hexanoyl-
L-
Homoserine lactone is a small diffusible signaling molecule involved in quorum sensing, controlling gene expression, and affecting cellular metabolism. The diverse applications of this molecule include regulation of virulence in general and in cystic fibrosis, infection prevention, slime and biofilm reduction in commercial agriculture and aquaculture industries, food spoilage prevention, and septicemia in fish.
Uses
Hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone is an active quorum sensing modulator first recognised in Rhizobium leguminosarum. Hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone and other acylhomoserine lactones have been detected in hundreds of bacterial species and, while the homologues vary between species and strains, the homoserine lactones are the major chemical modulators of within and between cell communication and regulation. The most significant variable defining the function of the homoserine lactone is the length of the acyl chain, with shorter chains displaying opposing actions to the longer chains.
Definition
ChEBI: N-[(3s)-2-Oxotetrahydrofuran-3-Yl]hexanamide is a N-acyl-amino acid.
General Description
N-Hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone is produced and utilized by various Gram-negative bacteria as a quorum sensing (QS) signal molecule.
Biochem/physiol Actions
N-Hexanoyl-L-homoserine lactone is a member of N-acyl-homoserine lactone family. N-Acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) regulate gene expression in gram-negative bacteria, such as Echerichia and Salmonella, and are involved in quorum sensing, cell to cell communication among bacteria; for reviews see. Bacterial intercellular communication has become a target for the development of new anti-virulence drugs, and a research focus for the prevention of biofilm formation.
