Quorum sensing is a phenomenon that microorganisms secrete some signal molecules, when such molecules accumulate to a threshold level, which would realize the information communication by regulating specific gene expression. Quorum sensing, which is widely found in information communication of various microorganisms, regulates a variety of social behaviors, such as biofilm formation, public goods production, and gene horizontal transfer of bacteria. The phenomenon of quorum sensing is widespread in biological aggregates, such as activated sludge, biofilm and granular sludge. Learning and understanding the regulation behavior between quorum sensing and microorganisms plays an important role in wastewater treatment. Here, we reviewed the classification of the sensing signal molecule, regulation mechanism of quorum sensing, as well as the regulation behavior of quorum sensing in activated sludge, biofilm, aerobic granular sludge, and anaerobic granular sludge. The future researches of quorum sensing in wastewater treatment were discussed. This review could deepen the understanding of the regulation of quorum sensing in wastewater treatment.
群体感应是微生物在繁殖过程中分泌一些特定的信号分子,当信号分子浓度达到一定阈值后,可以调控某些基因表达,从而实现信息交流的现象.群体感应调控着生物膜形成、公共物质合成、基因水平转移等一系列社会性行为,广泛存在于各类微生物信息交流中.活性污泥、生物膜和颗粒污泥等生物聚集体广泛存在群体感应现象,了解和认识群体感应与微生物之间的调控行为,对于废水处理具有重要意义.本文综述了感应信号分子的分类、群体感应调控机制,群体感应在活性污泥、生物膜、好氧颗粒污泥和厌氧颗粒污泥等废水处理中的调控行为的研究进展,并对废水处理中群体感应的研究进行了展望,以期为深入理解废水处理中群体感应调控行为提供参考.
Keywords: quorum sensing; regulation behavior; sensing signal molecule; wastewater treatment.