Can we consider quorum-sensing regulation in bacteria as epigenetic regulation in eukaryotic cells ?
Hello, Quorum sensing of bacteria is the regulation of gene expression in response to fluctuations in cell-population density. Quorum sensing bacteria produce and release chemical signal molecules called autoinducers that increase in concentration as a function of cell density. The detection of a minimal threshold stimulatory concentration of an autoinducer leads to an alteration in gene expression. But each of cell is individual organism.
Eukaryotic gene expression is more complex than prokaryotic gene expression because the processes of transcription and translation are physically separated. Unlike prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells can regulate gene expression at many different levels. Epigenetic changes are inheritable changes in gene expression that do not result from changes in the DNA sequence. Eukaryotic gene expression begins with control of access to the DNA.
NO
Quorum sensing is basically communication of bacteria cells to its neighbor within the same generation and this phenomenon does not say anything about the heritability of phenotype or information. Where as in eukaryotic cells, epigenetics is the carryover information which is responsible for the heritable changes in the succeeding generation.
I suppose I answered what he wanted to ask. Comparing the mechanisms of both, and conclusion is they are not. He could have formulated the question in a better way.
