PapRIV is a quorum sensing heptapeptide originating from the Bacillus cereus group, which comprises a number of highly related species. PapRIV possesses in vitro pro-inflammatory effects on microglial BV-2 cell lines and is able to cross the gastro-intestinal tract and the blood-brain barrier. PapRIV shows very high brain influx, suggesting a role in gut-brain signalling.
