High-Specificity Local and Global c-di-GMP Signaling

Trends Microbiol. 2021 Feb 24:S0966-842X(21)00037-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.02.003. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe striking multiplicity, signal input diversity, and output specificity of c-di-GMP signaling proteins in many bacteria has brought second messenger signaling back onto the agenda of contemporary microbiology. How can several signaling pathways act in parallel in a specific manner if all of them use the same diffusible second messenger present at a certain global cellular concentration? Recent research has now shown that bacteria achieve this by flexibly combining modes of local and global c-di-GMP signaling in complex signaling networks. Three criteria have to be met to define local c-di-GMP signaling: specific knockout phenotypes, direct interactions between proteins involved, and actual cellular c-di-GMP levels remaining below the Kd of effectors. Adaptive changes in signaling network architecture can further enhance signaling flexibility.PMID:33640237 | DOI:10.1016/j.tim.2021.02.003

Source: Trends in Microbiology - February 28, 2021 Category: Microbiology Authors: Regine Hengge Source Type: research