This is accomplished by the secretion of signaling molecules which trigger a response in nearby bacteria at high enough concentrations.
It has a greater ability to store information than other quorum-sensing molecules because its production is tied to cell growth.
[1] The structure of AI-2 was discovered recently to be a fused 2-member ring with boron bridging the gap between the diesters.
[5] The pathway for synthesizing AI-2 was found to be identical in V. harveyi, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, V. cholerae, and Enterococcus faecalis providing further evidence that this molecule may be a universal signal among bacteria.
[2] It is likely the high concentrations of AI-2 produced by normal gut flora effect the production of AI-2 in Shigella and its subsequent virulence.
However, if either one of the bacteria has the LuxS gene they can form biofilms, suggesting again this molecule is used for communication between unrelated species.
[2] Other bacterial uses for AI-2 Since the LuxS enzyme is not present in eukaryotes it is a good potential target for antibiotics.
QSMs have been studied in Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, Aspergillus niger, A. nidulans, and Fusarium graminearum.