Bacterial chemotaxis system

The bacterial chemotaxis system is a complex signal transduction network that enables bacteria to sense their chemical environment and direct their movement toward nutrients or away from toxins [4, 8]. This system is primarily governed by a two-component signaling mechanism in which methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) detect environmental stimuli and regulate the activity of the histidine kinase CheA [7, 15]. Upon activation, CheA phosphorylates the response regulator CheY, which then interacts with the flagellar motor (specifically the FliM protein) to alter swimming behavior, such as switching from smooth runs to tumbles [11, 15]. In many pathogenic bacteria, the chemotaxis system is a critical virulence factor required for host colonization, tissue penetration, and the establishment of persistent biofilms [1, 5, 14]. Targeting this system is currently being explored as an anti-virulence strategy, aiming to reduce bacterial pathogenicity and fitness without necessarily killing the organism, thereby potentially exerting less selective pressure for the development of antibiotic resistance [1, 3, 9].

Other names

Che signaling systemBacterial chemosensory systemChemotaxis signaling pathwayTwo-component chemotaxis system

Inhibition of histidine kinase (CheA) autophosphorylation, disruption of ligand binding to methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), or interference with the interaction between phosphorylated CheY and the flagellar motor protein FliM [12, 15, 19].