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• Hense, B
• Müller, J
• Kuttler, C
• Hartmann, A
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• Müller, J
• Kuttler, C
• Hartmann, A
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• Müller, J
• Kuttler, C
• Hartmann, A

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Sensors 2012, 12(4), 4156-4171; doi:10.3390/s120404156

Article

Spatial Heterogeneity of Autoinducer Regulation Systems

Burkhard A. Hense ^1,* , Johannes Müller ² , Christina Kuttler ²  and Anton Hartmann ³

¹ Institute of Biomathematics and Biometry, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany ² Department of Mathematics, Technische Universität München, Boltzmannstraße 3, 85748 Garching, Germany ³ Research Unit Microbe-Plant Interactions, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 21 February 2012; in revised form: 15 March 2012 / Accepted: 21 March 2012 / Published: 28 March 2012

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Quorum Sensing: Linking the Outside World to Microbial Behaviour)

Download PDF Full-Text [326 KB, uploaded 28 March 2012 11:12 CEST]

Abstract: Autoinducer signals enable coordinated behaviour of bacterial populations, a phenomenon originally described as quorum sensing. Autoinducer systems are often controlled by environmental substances as nutrients or secondary metabolites (signals) from neighbouring organisms. In cell aggregates and biofilms gradients of signals and environmental substances emerge. Mathematical modelling is used to analyse the functioning of the system. We find that the autoinducer regulation network generates spatially heterogeneous behaviour, up to a kind of multicellularity-like division of work, especially under nutrient-controlled conditions. A hybrid push/pull concept is proposed to explain the ecological function. The analysis allows to explain hitherto seemingly contradicting experimental findings.

Keywords: autoinducer regulation network; spatial heterogeneity; division of work; hybrid push/pull control; quorum sensing

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