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rd-24

Articles

Año 8 No. 23 Mayo - Agosto 2022

HOW BACTERIA SENSE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNALS?

DOI
https://doi.org/10.32399/icuap.rdic.2448-5829.2022.23.813
Submitted
June 19, 2022
Published
June 20, 2022

Abstract

Bacteria are perhaps the most ubiquitous microorganisms on the planet, we can find them practically everywhere, successfully adapting to environments as different as the human stomach and the water tap. In order to adapt and survive, they need to perceive and respond to environmental conditions. Unlike animals and plants that have specialized organs and systems to be able to detect and respond to the environment, bacteria are able to adapt with apparently very simple but very efficient mechanisms, turning these into their five senses. These bacterial detection mechanisms are known as two-component signal transduction systems. In this article, we review the basic aspects of how these systems work, as well as the importance of understanding them with the aim of using this knowledge, for example, in the treatment of infections. bacteria and in the use of beneficial bacteria of biotechnological interest.

Key words: Two component system, signal transduction, multicomponent systems

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