Nucleotide second messengers in bacterial decision making

Catriona Thompson (Lead Author), Jacob Malone

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Since the initial discovery of bacterial nucleotide second messengers (NSMs), we have made huge progress towards understanding these complex signalling networks. Many NSM networks contain dozens of metabolic enzymes and binding targets, whose activity is tightly controlled at every regulatory level. They function as global regulators and in specific signalling circuits, controlling multiple aspects of bacterial behaviour and development. Despite these advances there is much still to discover, with current research focussing on the molecular mechanisms of signalling circuits, the role of the environment in controlling NSM pathways and attempts to understand signalling at the whole cell/community level. Here we examine recent developments in the NSM signalling field and discuss their implications for understanding this important driver of microbial behaviour.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)34-39
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent Opinion in Microbiology
Volume55
Early online date13 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2020

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