Quorum Sensing in Extremophiles

Extremophiles represent a heterogeneous class of organisms that inhabit environments characterized by atypical parameters (high or low temperatures/pH/salinity, etc.). These organisms not only adapt to these habitats, but the exceptional environmental characteristics ensure their optimal growth. The environmental adaptation of extremophiles has been of particular interest for researcher. In particular, special attention has been addressed to the potential use of extreme biomolecules for industrial applications, because of their unique resistance properties, which represent a clear advantage for the development of industrial processes. Quorum sensing (QS) is a kind of molecular communication system that regulates gene expression in a range of organisms. It regulates many important microbial processes, such as motility, protease expression, antibiotic and exopolysaccharide production, and so on. It could contribute to environmental adaptation of extremophiles, but its role needs to be further elucidated. This chapter presents the recent advances in the understanding of QS in extremophilic microorganisms.