N-heptanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone（C7-HSL）是参与群体感应的小扩散信号分子，从而控制基因表达并影响细胞代谢。群体感应是细菌用于控制基因表达以响应增加的细胞密度的调控系统，通过淬灭该系统可以导致控制细菌感染。特定靶基因（例如属于LuxIR蛋白质家族的转录调节因子）的表达通过可扩散的酰基高丝氨酸内酯（AHL）分子的合成来协调。该分子的多种应用包括调节鱼类的毒力，预防感染和败血病。 N-heptanoyl-L-Homoserine lactone (C7-HSL) is a small diffusible signaling molecule involved in quorum sensing, thereby controlling gene expression and affecting cellular metabolism. Quorum sensing is a regulatory system used by bacteria for controlling gene expression in response to increasing cell density, and by quenching this system could lead to controlling bacterial infections. The expression of specific target genes, such as transcriptional regulators belonging to the LuxIR family of proteins, is coordinated by synthesis of diffusible acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) molecules. The diverse applications of this molecule include regulation of virulence, infection prevention, and septicemia in fish.