Bacteriocins are gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, with diverse structures, functions, and regulatory mechanisms. They are widespread in nature and can target specific bacteria, contributing to microbial diversity. While primarily studied as food preservatives and therapeutic agents, their ecological roles in natural settings are less understood. This review highlights the multifunctional roles of bacteriocins in microbial communities, focusing on their distribution, mobility, and impact on bacterial population dynamics and biofilms. Bacteriocins are produced by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with diverse mechanisms of action, including pore formation, DNA degradation, and interference with cell wall synthesis. Gram-positive bacteriocins are often classified into classes I, II, and III, with class I and II being heat-stable and class III being heat-labile. Bacteriocin production is regulated by various mechanisms, including quorum sensing, which allows bacteria to respond to environmental conditions and coordinate their activities. Bacteriocins play a significant role in microbial competition and biofilm formation. They can inhibit the growth of competing bacteria, reduce biofilm formation, and influence the structure and function of biofilms. Bacteriocins are also involved in horizontal gene transfer, facilitating the spread of genes between bacterial species. This process can lead to the emergence of new bacteriocin-producing strains and the evolution of bacterial communities. Bacteriocins have both antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial effects. They can act as regulatory molecules, influencing gene expression and cellular responses in target cells. Additionally, bacteriocins can interact with the immune system, modulating immune responses in humans and plants. These interactions highlight the complex roles of bacteriocins in microbial ecosystems. The study of bacteriocins is important for understanding microbial interactions, biofilm dynamics, and the evolution of bacterial communities. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the ecological significance of bacteriocins and their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.Bacteriocins are gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, with diverse structures, functions, and regulatory mechanisms. They are widespread in nature and can target specific bacteria, contributing to microbial diversity. While primarily studied as food preservatives and therapeutic agents, their ecological roles in natural settings are less understood. This review highlights the multifunctional roles of bacteriocins in microbial communities, focusing on their distribution, mobility, and impact on bacterial population dynamics and biofilms. Bacteriocins are produced by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with diverse mechanisms of action, including pore formation, DNA degradation, and interference with cell wall synthesis. Gram-positive bacteriocins are often classified into classes I, II, and III, with class I and II being heat-stable and class III being heat-labile. Bacteriocin production is regulated by various mechanisms, including quorum sensing, which allows bacteria to respond to environmental conditions and coordinate their activities. Bacteriocins play a significant role in microbial competition and biofilm formation. They can inhibit the growth of competing bacteria, reduce biofilm formation, and influence the structure and function of biofilms. Bacteriocins are also involved in horizontal gene transfer, facilitating the spread of genes between bacterial species. This process can lead to the emergence of new bacteriocin-producing strains and the evolution of bacterial communities. Bacteriocins have both antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial effects. They can act as regulatory molecules, influencing gene expression and cellular responses in target cells. Additionally, bacteriocins can interact with the immune system, modulating immune responses in humans and plants. These interactions highlight the complex roles of bacteriocins in microbial ecosystems. The study of bacteriocins is important for understanding microbial interactions, biofilm dynamics, and the evolution of bacterial communities. Further research is needed to fully elucidate the ecological significance of bacteriocins and their potential applications in biotechnology and medicine.