Cell–Cell Communication in Streptococci
A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Genetics and Genomics".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 March 2021) | Viewed by 3518
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The first evidence of soluble compound-based communication in streptococci dates back to the 1970s with the example of competence state control in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The soluble component inducing competence was further identified as a post-translationally modified peptide known as competence-stimulating peptide. Subsequent studies in different streptococcal species have highlighted the major role of short peptides acting as pheromones in this bacteria family. These peptides, which are produced by streptococci and exported in the medium, modulate the expression of target genes in activating dedicated sensors or regulators. In most cases, these regulations take place in response to cell density and are described as quorum-sensing regulations. The existence of multiple functional systems has been shown within streptococci, within each species and even within one strain, suggesting that streptococci have accumulated them. The multiple co-existing systems led to the concept of peptide conversations. The functions controlled by these systems are diverse. They are linked to virulence for pathogen species, competence, biofilm formation, and the production of bacteriocins or cyclic peptides of unknown function. The recent knowledge acquired on these mechanisms opens the way to the design of new strategies to control the behavior of streptococci and to develop quorum-quenching tactics that could be proposed as alternatives or complements to antibiotics. The question of the relative importance of these peptide-based communication systems with other co-existing communication systems in streptococci is still open. More broadly, pieces of evidence already support the existence of communication between streptococci and other bacteria, especially in the oral cavity context. By contrast, the possible dialog between streptococci and eukaryotes remains to be documented.
Dr. Véronique Monnet
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Bacterial Communication
- Streptococcal Species
- Peptides
- Pheromones
- Quorum-Sensing
- Quorum-Quenching
