Bacteria utilize a cell density-dependent communication system called quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate group behaviors. In Gram-positive bacteria, QS involves the production of and response to auto-inducing peptide (AIP) signaling molecules to modulate group phenotypes, including pathogenicity. As such, this bacterial communication system has been identified as a potential therapeutic target against bacterial infections. More specifically, developing synthetic modulators derived from the native peptide signal paves a new way to selectively block the pathogenic behaviors associated with this signaling system. Moreover, rational design and development of potent synthetic peptide modulators allows in depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive QS circuits in diverse bacterial species. Overall, studies aimed at understanding the role of QS in microbial social behavior could result in the accumulation of significant knowledge of microbial interactions, and consequently lead to the development of alternative therapeutic agents to treat bacterial infectivity. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the development of peptide-based modulators to target QS systems in Gram-positive pathogens, with a focus on evaluating the therapeutic potential associated with these bacterial signaling pathways.

中文翻译：

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靶向基于肽的群体感应系统用于治疗革兰氏阳性细菌感染

细菌利用一种称为群体感应（QS）的细胞密度依赖性通信系统来协调群体行为。在革兰氏阳性细菌中，QS 涉及自诱导肽 (AIP) 信号分子的产生和响应，以调节群体表型，包括致病性。因此，这种细菌通讯系统已被确定为对抗细菌感染的潜在治疗靶点。更具体地说，开发源自天然肽信号的合成调节剂为选择性阻断与该信号系统相关的致病行为开辟了一条新途径。此外，合理设计和开发有效的合成肽调节剂可以深入了解驱动不同细菌物种中 QS 回路的分子机制。全面的，旨在了解 QS 在微生物社会行为中的作用的研究可能会积累有关微生物相互作用的重要知识，从而导致开发治疗细菌感染性的替代治疗剂。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了针对革兰氏阳性病原体 QS 系统的肽调节剂开发的最新进展，重点是评估与这些细菌信号通路相关的治疗潜力。