Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Chemistry, Infection Biology (HKI), Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745 Jena, Germany.
Nat Prod Rep. 2018 Apr 25;35(4):303-308. doi: 10.1039/c7np00035a.
The co-existence of different microbial species in one habitat is prerequisite for many ecosystem processes. To facilitate co-habitation of ecological niches, intricate mechanisms have evolved that regulate the growth and the behaviour of microbes. A crucial aspect for the establishment and maintenance of a microbial population is the communication among species. Whereas intraspecies communication processes have been widely studied, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying interspecies interactions. Through the advance of modern analytical and sequencing technologies, we are now beginning to gain deeper insights into these complex processes. A key feature of microbe-microbe interaction is the secretion of chemical mediators to influence either the microbial partner or co-occurring higher organisms to shape the specific microenvironment. Here we summarize recent advances in understanding the role of natural products as regulators of microbial interaction in various ecological niches. Special attention is paid to mutualistic relationships with relevance for ecology and agriculture as well as medicine.
不同微生物物种在同一栖息地共存是许多生态系统过程的前提。为了促进生态位的共存，进化出了复杂的机制来调节微生物的生长和行为。建立和维持微生物种群的一个关键方面是物种间的交流。虽然已经广泛研究了种内交流过程，但对于种间相互作用的分子机制知之甚少。通过现代分析和测序技术的进步，我们现在开始对这些复杂过程有了更深入的了解。微生物相互作用的一个关键特征是分泌化学介质来影响微生物伙伴或共存的高等生物，以塑造特定的微环境。在这里，我们总结了近年来对天然产物作为调节微生物在各种生态位相互作用的作用的理解的最新进展。特别关注与生态学和农业以及医学相关的互利关系。
