Biochem/physiol Actions

Quorum-sensing signal generation

N-Octanoyl-L-homoserine lactone is a member of N-acyl-homoserine lactone family. N-Acylhomoserine lactones (AHL) regulate gene expression in gram-negative bacteria, such as Echerichia and Salmonella, and are involved in quorum sensing, colonization, chemical defense and cell to cell communication among bacteria; for reviews see. AHLs are released as oligopeptides in Gram positive bacteria and as quorum signal in Gram negative bacteria. Bacterial intercellular communication has become a target for the development of new anti-virulence drugs, and a research focus for the prevention of biofilm formation.