Sensing bacteria, without bitterness?

In addition to their recognized roles in intra- and inter-species signaling, bacterial quorum-sensing molecules have been implicated in inter-kingdom signaling. A new study in Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggests that mammalian bitter taste receptors may recognize bacterial quorum sensing molecules, and widens the scope of such inter-kingdom communication. Intestinal cells also harbor these receptors, but whether they eavesdrop on bacterial conversations remains an open question.