Chemocommunication between bacteria and the higher vertebrate animals

Between bacteria and the higher vertebrate animals there are close chemocommunicational connections that are realized via signal molecules secreted by bacteria, on the hand, and vertebrate hormones and hormone-like substances, on the other hand. The review presents data on regulatory effects of biogenic amines (catecholamines and serotonin), peptide hormones, and immunoregulator of the higher vertebrates on the vitally important functions of bacterial cells, their virulence and survivability. It has been shown that some bacterial signal molecules, such as N-acylated derivatives of homoserine lactones, also are able to regulate fundamental cellular processes in the higher vertebrates. Deciphering of molecular mechanisms of information exchange between bacteria and the higher vertebrates is both of theoretical significance for studies on pathways of evolution of chemosignal systems in proand eukaryote organism and of practical significance for development of new approaches for treatment of bacterial infections.