Social Behaviours under Anaerobic Conditions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is well adapted to grow in anaerobic environments in the presence of nitrogen oxides by generating energy through denitrification. Environmental cues, such as oxygen and nitrogen oxide concentrations, are important in regulating the gene expression involved in this process. Re...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Masanori Toyofuku, Hiroo Uchiyama, Nobuhiko Nomura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2012-01-01
Series:International Journal of Microbiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/405191
Description
Summary:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is well adapted to grow in anaerobic environments in the presence of nitrogen oxides by generating energy through denitrification. Environmental cues, such as oxygen and nitrogen oxide concentrations, are important in regulating the gene expression involved in this process. Recent data indicate that P. aeruginosa also employs cell-to-cell communication signals to control the denitrifying activity. The regulation of denitrification by these signalling molecules may control nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide, in turn, functions as a signalling molecule by activating certain regulatory proteins. Moreover, under denitrifying conditions, drastic changes in cell physiology and cell morphology are induced that significantly impact group behaviours, such as biofilm formation.
ISSN:1687-918X
1687-9198