Bacteria produce a wide range of specialized biopolymers that can be classified into polysaccharides, polyamides, and polyesters and are considered to fulfill storage functions. In this review, we highlight recent developments in the field linking metabolism of biopolymers to stress and signaling physiology of the producers and demonstrating that biopolymers contribute to bacterial stress resistance and shape structure and composition of microenvironments. While specialized biopolymers are currently the focus of much attention in biotechnology as innovative and biodegradable materials, our understanding about the regulation and functions of these valuable compounds for the producers, microbial communities, and our environment is still very limited. Addressing open questions about signals, mechanisms, and functions in the area of biopolymers harbors potential for exciting discoveries with high relevance for biotechnology and fundamental research.

细菌产生多种特殊的生物聚合物，可分为多糖、聚酰胺和聚酯，并被认为具有储存功能。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了将生物聚合物的代谢与生产者的应激和信号生理学联系起来的领域的最新进展，并证明生物聚合物有助于细菌的应激抵抗力以及微环境的形状结构和组成。虽然特种生物聚合物作为创新和可生物降解材料目前是生物技术领域备受关注的焦点，但我们对这些有价值的化合物对生产者、微生物群落和我们的环境的调节和功能的了解仍然非常有限。解决生物聚合物领域有关信号、机制和功能的开放性问题，有可能获得与生物技术和基础研究高度相关的令人兴奋的发现。