Bacterial quorum-sensing systems in cell–cell communication

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens necessitate holistic care. Novel antimicrobial drug discovery involves an in-depth assessment of quorum sensing (QS) signaling and cell-cell communication. Bacteria regulate their metabolism to cope with complex host-environmental changes through QS signaling. Previous studies suggest that the social behaviors of bacteria include biofilm formation, virulence, and drug resistance mediated by QS. Over several decades, autoinducer receptors, signaling pathways, and the regulatory networks that control gene expression have corroborated QS signaling molecules. Multiple QS systems and chemical structural diversity signaling molecules have been sporadically reported, but there is no comprehensive review of these findings. This review systematically and comprehensively summarizes the paper, addressing bacterial QS-based cell-cell communication and the potential mechanisms of QS systems in bacterial drug resistance. Furthermore, a status quo update has been established for novel QS systems in the realms of pathogenicity, polymicrobial interactions, and/or AMR patterns. Nevertheless, the applications of QS systems would invoke newer incorporations for futuristic research values. Thus, the complexity and evolutionary insights of QS systems, quorum-sensing signaling molecules, and regulatory mechanisms need a "cloud" based repurposing for the design of novel agents in AMR and communication.