RRNPP quorum-sensing repertoires in the salivarius group genomes: overrepresentation and synchronous activation of SHP/Rgg systems in <i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i>

<i>Streptococcus thermophilus</i> possesses an unusually high number of Rgg regulators, which are activated by SHP pheromones that control the production of RaS-RiPPs, peptides with cyclization motifs and growth inhibition properties. We conducted an <i>in silico</i> analysis of regulator repertoires across a wide range of strains; a subsequent experimental study revealed that the majority of the SHP/Rgg systems were functional. Employing an optimized liquid chromatography-high resolution tandem mass spectrometry protocol, we were able to better detect and follow SHP and RaS-RiPP accumulation. While RaS-RiPPs accumulated during growth, SHPs were only transiently present in the extracellular environment. This observation suggests that we could manipulate quorum sensing by adding SHPs to the growth medium and highlights the need to study the functions of the RaS-RiPPs.