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Articles 31 - 60 of 69
Full-Text Articles in Microbiology
The Inhibition Of Growth Of S. Cerevisiae, U. Maydis, And M. Lychinidis-Dioicae By Apiaecea Plant Extracts, Jackson M Hoffman, Jared Scott, David Schultz Phd
The Inhibition Of Growth Of S. Cerevisiae, U. Maydis, And M. Lychinidis-Dioicae By Apiaecea Plant Extracts, Jackson M Hoffman, Jared Scott, David Schultz Phd
Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase
The Apiaceae family of plants contains over 3,500 species, many of which are used as food crops: vegetables (carrot, parsnip, celery, etc.), herbs (cilantro, fennel, dill, etc.), and spices (cumin, anise, caraway, etc.). Many spices have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial properties against both bacteria and fungi. We set out to determine if the Apiaceae spice extracts currently used in our lab for anticancer studies exhibit any antimicrobial properties. Ethanolic extracts were made from several Apiaceae seeds: Apium graveolens (celery), Cuminum cyminum (cumin), Anethum graveolens(dill), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), Coriandrum satvium (coriander), Pimpinella ansium (anise), Trachyspermum ammi (ajwain), Carum carvi …
Malaria, Microbes, And Mice: The Role Of The Gut Microbiota On The Immune Response To Plasmodium Infection And The Treatment Potential Of Microbiota Modulation., Morgan L. Waide
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Plasmodium infection leads to over 200 million cases of malaria and 400,000 deaths worldwide each year. These deaths are largely in children under the age of five and pregnant women [1]. Caused by transmission of Plasmodium parasites by the female Anopheles mosquito, malaria poses a risk for over 40 percent of the world’s population [1]. Despite worldwide efforts to eradicate malaria leading to a decrease in malaria-associated mortalities in the early 2000s [2], growing resistance to the available antimalarials and the lack of an effective, long-lasting vaccine has caused this decrease to plateau in recent years [1, 3-6]. Furthermore, malaria …
Plasmodium Impairs Antibacterial Innate Immunity To Systemic Infections In Part Through Hemozoin-Bound Bioactive Molecules., Christopher Lynn Harding
Plasmodium Impairs Antibacterial Innate Immunity To Systemic Infections In Part Through Hemozoin-Bound Bioactive Molecules., Christopher Lynn Harding
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Despite efforts to decrease the global health burden of malaria, infections with Plasmodium species continue to cause over 200 million episodes of malaria each year which resulted in 405,000 deaths in 2018 [1]. One complication of malaria is increased susceptibility to invasive bacterial infections. Plasmodium infections impair host immunity to non-Typhoid Salmonella (NTS) through activities of heme oxygenase I (HO-I) )-induced release of immature granulocytes and myeloid cell-derived IL-10. Yet, it is not known if these mechanisms are specific to NTS. We show here, that Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL (Py) infected mice had impaired clearance of systemic Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) during …
Identification And Structural Characterization Functional Motifs In The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Mfa1 Short Fimbria., Mohammad K. Roky
Identification And Structural Characterization Functional Motifs In The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Mfa1 Short Fimbria., Mohammad K. Roky
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Porphyromonas gingivalis is a causative agent of periodontal disease, initially colonizes the oral cavity by adhering to commensal streptococci. Adherence requires the interaction of the minor fimbrial protein (Mfa1) of P. gingivalis with streptococcal antigen I/II (Ag I/II). A peptide derived from Ag I/II peptide has been well characterized and shown to significantly reduce P. gingivalis colonization and bone loss in vivo, suggesting that this interaction represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention. However, the functional motifs of Mfa1 involved in the interaction with Ag I/II remain uncharacterized. A series of N- and C-terminal peptide fragments of Mfa1 were …
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats (Swot) Analysis Of The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Of Covid-19, Michael Oluyemi Babalola Ph.D
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities And Threats (Swot) Analysis Of The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Of Covid-19, Michael Oluyemi Babalola Ph.D
The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections
Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is the etiologic agent of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a highly contagious, emergent, acute, viral pneumonia that emanated sporadically in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 became a pandemic in February 2020, leading to 4,942,687 confirmed cases and over 321,987 deaths and grounding several economies around the world as of May 2020. Although global researchers, epidemiologists, virologists, and medical professionals rose steadily to contain the disease, in-depth knowledge of the virus and concerted efforts to combat it are still evolving. This research sought to elucidate the biological Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to SARS-CoV-2, with a view to …
Development Of In Vitro Models To Study The Rapid Extraintestinal Dissemination Of Salmonella., Adarsh Gopinath
Development Of In Vitro Models To Study The Rapid Extraintestinal Dissemination Of Salmonella., Adarsh Gopinath
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Salmonella appears in the bloodstream of mice in as little as 15 minutes after oral inoculation and establishes persistent colonies in the spleen and liver. While its pathway to blood is undetermined, this phenomenon is dependent on the activity of Salmonella pathogenicity island 2 (SPI-2) coded type III secretion system (T3SS) and CD18+ phagocytes. We hypothesize that dendritic cells associated with the basal face of the gut epithelium, that are naturally migratory and known to sample for luminal antigens directly transport Salmonella to the bloodstream. This process comprises of at least two phases, dissociation and reverse transmigration. We define dissociation …
Tobacco Enhances Bacterial-Induced Periodontal Bone Loss In Mice., Mina Iskander
Tobacco Enhances Bacterial-Induced Periodontal Bone Loss In Mice., Mina Iskander
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Tobacco smoking is the leading environmental risk factor for periodontal diseases. Delineation of the mechanisms underlying tobacco-induced or exacerbated periodontitis is hampered by the lack of an appropriate and reliable animal model. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that Porphyromonas-gingivalis-infected, cigarette smoke-exposed mice would represent reproducible models of acute (ligature model) and chronic (oral gavage model) tobacco-enhanced periodontitis that reflect multiple aspects of the disease noted in human smokers. Methods: In a chronic oral gavage disease model, Balb/c mice (6-8 weeks, 4 groups of n = 6 per group) were exposed to smoke produced by a Teague-10 smoking machine from 1R6F research …
Modulation Of Host Innate Immune Cells By Yersinia Pestis To Create A Permissive Environment For Replication., Amanda Rose Pulsifer
Modulation Of Host Innate Immune Cells By Yersinia Pestis To Create A Permissive Environment For Replication., Amanda Rose Pulsifer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Yersinia pestis has gained widespread infamy due to the historic outbreak during the middle ages, referred to as The Black Death. Infection with Y. pestis typically begins with deposition of Y. pestis into the dermis (bubonic plague) or respiratory tract (pneumonic plague). Tissue resident macrophages are the first innate immune cell encountered by Y. pestis. Macrophages are likely a way for Y. pestis to avoid neutrophils early in infection when the neutrophil neutralizing Type Three Secretion System is not expressed. This work focuses on which Rab host proteins are manipulated by Y. pestis, and how neutrophils are forced to …
Crispr-Cas9 Editing Of Nitrate Transporter Gene, Um03849, In Ustilago Maydis, Luke A. Schroeder, Sunita Khanal, Michael H. Perlin
Crispr-Cas9 Editing Of Nitrate Transporter Gene, Um03849, In Ustilago Maydis, Luke A. Schroeder, Sunita Khanal, Michael H. Perlin
Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase
Ustilago maydis, the basidiomycete smut-fungus, can infect and cause tumors in corn plants. For this, mating between compatible haploid cells is important. The mating and subsequent dimorphic transition in U. maydis require starvation for nutrients such as nitrogen, in addition to pheromone-receptor interactions between compatible partners. In this research, the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique was used to create INDEL mutations (sequence insertion or deletion) in the nitrate transporter gene, um03849, in U. maydis. The gene was edited in mating compatible haploid strains 1/2 and 2/9. The phenotypes were characterized for the um03849 mutants as to growth ability, mating …
The Effects Of Nutrient Availability On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mono And Co-Culture Biofilms, Julie T. Nguyen, Deborah R. Yoder-Himes Ph.D., Rhiannon Cecil
The Effects Of Nutrient Availability On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mono And Co-Culture Biofilms, Julie T. Nguyen, Deborah R. Yoder-Himes Ph.D., Rhiannon Cecil
Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder characterized by faulty ion channels and result in thick mucus accumulation, especially in lungs. Mucus buildup provides ideal conditions for bacterial infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is the second most prevalent bacterium isolated from people with CF and has a high clinical importance. Most CF pathogens form biofilms which make treatment of infections difficult. Biofilms are clusters of cells attached to a surface enclosed in a structured matrix. These structures are a means to provide shelter for bacteria from the environment, especially antibiotics and the immune system. PA alone can form these biofilms, but …
Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus Aureus Viability Is Altered By Burkholderia Cenocepacia, Bridget Wall, Tiffany J. Brandt, Dr. Deborah Yoder-Himes
Biofilm Associated Staphylococcus Aureus Viability Is Altered By Burkholderia Cenocepacia, Bridget Wall, Tiffany J. Brandt, Dr. Deborah Yoder-Himes
Undergraduate Arts and Research Showcase
Respiratory failure caused by chronic and recurrent microbial infections is the most common cause of death for people with cystic fibrosis (CF)1, a disease causing the formation of thick mucus in the lungs2. Most bacteria can form biofilms, collections of sessile cells adhered to a surface by a secreted substance. Biofilm-associated cells develop antibiotic resistance at higher rates3. The thicker mucus in CF lungs is extremely difficult to clear via action of the mucociliary escalator and its presence fosters the formation of bacterial biofilms. Staphylococcus aureus and Burkholderia cenocepacia are two pathogens commonly found …
The Effect Of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia On Gram-Negative Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens., Joshua D Stewart
The Effect Of Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia On Gram-Negative Cystic Fibrosis Pathogens., Joshua D Stewart
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disorder in the Caucasian population with an incidence of 1 per 3,000 live births and a median predicted survival of only 47 years. Respiratory failure due to repeated pathological insults to lung tissue by infection is the ultimate cause of mortality in the majority of patients. The lung microenvironment created by CF highly favors colonization by opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cenocepacia, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Biofilm formation by multiple bacterial species contributes to the chronic, persistent, and difficult to treat nature of CF infections. This study seeks …
The Q Rule In Bacteriodetes And The Identification And Characterization Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Glutaminyl Cyclase., John Andrew Houston
The Q Rule In Bacteriodetes And The Identification And Characterization Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Glutaminyl Cyclase., John Andrew Houston
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major pathogen associated with chronic periodontitis, secretes variety of proteins, majority of which begins with glutamine. Several of these proteins were found with pyroglutamate (pGlu) at N-terminus suggesting the presence of this posttranslational modification pathway in P.gingivalis. The observation that N-terminal glutamine is over-represented as the first amino acid after signal peptide cleavage, and subsequent confirmation of pGlu formation on the nascent protein via mass spectrometry, led us to conclude that an enzyme must be present as the executor of this reaction. Hypothesis: PG2157 is a glutaminyl cyclase and is responsible for the cyclization of …
Synthesis And Characterization Of Targeted Bar Encapsulated Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Nanoparticles To Inhibit Porphyromonas Gingivalis Biofilm Formation., Ranjith Radha Krishnan
Synthesis And Characterization Of Targeted Bar Encapsulated Polylactic-Co-Glycolic Acid Nanoparticles To Inhibit Porphyromonas Gingivalis Biofilm Formation., Ranjith Radha Krishnan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Periodontal disease is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. Between 30-50% of the global adult population suffers from periodontal disease. Some form of periodontitis is present in 46% of American adults, corresponding to annual expenditures in excess of 14 billion dollars for treatment and prevention. Current treatments for periodontal diseases involve mechanical removal of plaque, correction of risk factors, gingival surgery and/or antibiotic therapy. To our knowledge there is no effective therapeutic approach that aims to limit pathogen colonization of the oral biofilm or re-colonization after treatment. Interaction of the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis with oral streptococci is critical …
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria In Water Environments In Louisville, Kentucky., Amy Priest
Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria In Water Environments In Louisville, Kentucky., Amy Priest
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Antibiotic resistant bacterial strains are an increasing problem, particularly in clinical health care settings. As a result, bacterial infections are becoming increasingly challenging to treat with more cases becoming life threatening. Aquatic environments facilitate microbial diversity and the transfer of genetic elements and thus may serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistant microbes. Human misuse of antibiotics may further facilitate the spread of resistance in water environments. With little known about the bacteria communities in local water environments, this study aimed to learn more about these populations through the following aims: 1) identify the microbial community composition from water environments …
Characterizing The Virulence Factor Yape In Yersinia Pestis., Tiva Templeton Vancleave
Characterizing The Virulence Factor Yape In Yersinia Pestis., Tiva Templeton Vancleave
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Yersinia pestis is the causative agent of bubonic plague and is primarily transmitted by fleas. Upon infection, the bacteria rapidly travel to the regional lymph nodes causing inflammation and cellulitis in these tissues (referred to as buboes). Two outer membrane proteins, YapE and Pla, have been implicated to have roles in dissemination to the lymph nodes. Their adhesive properties have shown that they are able to interact with host macrophages thereby increasing their ability to disseminate to regional lymph nodes. More recently, we have shown that YapE is cleaved by another virulence factor important for lymph node colonization, Pla, to …
Characterization Of Type Ii Toxin Anti-Toxin Systems In Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans., Blair W. Schneider
Characterization Of Type Ii Toxin Anti-Toxin Systems In Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans., Blair W. Schneider
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Microbes express many protective mechanisms in response to environmental stress. Toxin/anti-toxin systems encode a biologically active toxin and a labile anti-toxin that inhibits the toxin’s activity. These systems are known to contribute to persister cell and biofilm formation. A. actinomycetemcomitans thrives in the complex oral microbial community and is subjected to continual environmental flux. Little is known regarding the presence and function of TA systems in this organism or their contribution survival in the oral environment. Using BLAST searches and other informatics tools, we identified 11 intact TA systems that are conserved across all seven serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans and …
The Involvement Of Epithelial Cells In Arenavirus-Induced Pathogenesis., Nikole Leslie Margaret Warner
The Involvement Of Epithelial Cells In Arenavirus-Induced Pathogenesis., Nikole Leslie Margaret Warner
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mammalian Arenaviruses are a geographically and genetically diverse family of viruses, which is separated into two sub-groups; the Old World (OW) and New World (NW) groups. Of the OW viruses, Lassa virus (LASV), found endemically in Western Africa, is an important human pathogen, causing hundreds of thousands of infections, and several thousand deaths annually. Interestingly, some villages in endemic regions, up to 45% of the population show seropositivity for the virus. It is hypothesized that seropositivity is a result of natural infection through inhalation or ingestion of infectious particles. However, the exact mechanism is still unknown. LASV’s natural reservoir is …
Nutritional Virulence Of Legionella Pneumophila., Ashley M. Best
Nutritional Virulence Of Legionella Pneumophila., Ashley M. Best
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Legionella pneumophila is an environment organism that parasitizes a wide range of protozoa. Growth within the environmental host primes L. pneumophila for infection of human alveolar macrophages when contaminated aerosols are inhaled. Intracellular replication within either host requires the establishment a replicative niche, known as the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). Biogenesis of the LCV depends on the type IVb translocation system, the Dot/Icm, to translocation >320 effectors into the host cytosol. Effectors are responsible for preventing lysosome fusion to the LCV, recruitment of ER-derived vesicles to the LCV, and modulation of a plethora of host processes to promote the intracellular …
Type Ix Secretion System: Characterization Of An Effector Protein And An Insight Into The Role Of C-Terminal Domain Dimeration In Outer Membrane Translocation., Lahari Koneru
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia are two of the primary pathogens that are associated in the etiology and progression of chronic periodontitis. In T. forsythia, KLIKK proteases are the recently identified group of proteolytic enzymes that are secreted through Type IX secretion system (T9SS). Among, these KLIKK proteases a synergistic relationship was observed between karilysin and mirolysin in invading the host complement system for the survival of the bacteria. Since, karilysin has been already characterized, in this study we propose to study about mirolysin through structural, biochemical and biological characterization. The obtained results from the experiments has shown the …
Characterization Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Mfa1 Fimbriae., Jae Yong Lee
Characterization Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Mfa1 Fimbriae., Jae Yong Lee
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Porphyromonas gingivalis, an obligate anaerobic bacterium associated with chronic periodontitis, utilizes various virulence factors to achieve pathogenicity, one of which is the Mfa1 fimbriae. As a surface structure comprising Mfa1 major subunit along with accessory fimbrial proteins Mfa2-5, the Mfa1 fimbriae has been shown to mediate the adherence of P. gingivalis to antecedent bacterial colonizers of the oral cavity to cause increased virulence. However, the spatial relationships amongst the individual subunits and their assembly mechanism have remained unclear. Through immuno-electron microscopy, Mfa1-4 were localized on the surface of P. gingivalis with Mfa1 localizing throughout the fimbriae and Mfa2 in …
Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Survival In Tobacco Smokers., Himabindu Gogeneni
Porphyromonas Gingivalis Infection In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus And Survival In Tobacco Smokers., Himabindu Gogeneni
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This thesis contains a clinical project and distinct basic science project. Gestational diabetes mellitus occurs in 4% of pregnancies and increases the risk of birth defects, pre-term birth, and miscarriage. Gingivitis during pregnancy also increases the risk for poor pregnancy outcome. Gingivitis is a bacterial-induced disease, and specific plaque pathogens have been associated with systemic sequelae to periodontal inflammation. Therefore, we set out to monitor oral infection with three key periodontopathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Filifactor alocis, and Treponema denticola) and the systemic inflammatory burden [C-reactive protein (CRP) in pregnant women with and without gingivitis and gestational diabetes. Gingivitis …
Burkholderia Cenocepacia J2315-Mediated Destruction Of Staphylococcus Aureus Nrs77 Biofilms., Rachel Thompson
Burkholderia Cenocepacia J2315-Mediated Destruction Of Staphylococcus Aureus Nrs77 Biofilms., Rachel Thompson
College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disorder that affects over 30,000 people in the US and more than 70,000 people worldwide. Recurring bacterial infections in CF patients result in tissue damage that dramatically lowers respiratory function and are ultimately fatal. The formation of bacterial biofilms in the mucus and on lung epithelial tissue allows pathogens to be protected from antibiotics and the host immune system, making treatment of infection difficult. The interactions between CF pathogens in co-culture biofilms are not well understood and were examined in this study. Staphylococcus aureus and Burkholderia cenocepacia, two common CF pathogens, were used …
Function Of The Enterobactin Operon Of A. Actinomycetemcomitans In The Presence Of Catecholmines And Iron., Taylor Johnson
Function Of The Enterobactin Operon Of A. Actinomycetemcomitans In The Presence Of Catecholmines And Iron., Taylor Johnson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) possesses a two-component system, QseBC, which is key in biofilm formation/virulence and is activated in the presence of iron-catecholamine complexes. Aa does not synthesize enterobactin, a catechol-based siderophore, yet possesses the machinery for recognition and uptake. We hypothesize that Aa is able to acquire iron by catecholamine mediation through the enterobactin receptor/transporter. Methods: By insertional mutation, we attempted to delete the enterobactin permease from the genome using suicide vector pJT1. A growth curve of truncated mutant ΔfepA was also conducted to observe growth in the presence of iron and catecholamines. Statistical significance was determined by ANOVA …
Sa-4-1bbl As A Modulator Of Innate, Adaptive, And Regulatory Immunity : Implications For Cancer Prevention And Treatment., Hampartsoum Barsoumian
Sa-4-1bbl As A Modulator Of Innate, Adaptive, And Regulatory Immunity : Implications For Cancer Prevention And Treatment., Hampartsoum Barsoumian
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
SA-4-1BBL is a recombinant costimulatory molecule that is active in its soluble form and has pleiotropic effects on the functions of innate, adaptive, and regulatory immune cells. We have previously shown that SA-4-1BBL makes CD4+ T conventional cells (Tconvs) resistant to suppression by CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs). The mechanistic basis of this observation is the subject of this study. We demonstrate that Tconvs, but not Tregs, are the direct targets of SA-4-1BBL-mediated evasion of Treg suppression without contribution from antigen presenting cells (APCs). SA-4-1BBL engagement with its receptor, 4-1BB, on Tconvs resulted in the production of high levels of …
Identification Of Host Factors Required For Yersinia Pestis Macrophage Intracellular Survival And Their Impact On Vacuole Maturation, Acidification And Trafficking., Michael Graylin Connor
Identification Of Host Factors Required For Yersinia Pestis Macrophage Intracellular Survival And Their Impact On Vacuole Maturation, Acidification And Trafficking., Michael Graylin Connor
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Y. pestis is a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of plague. This bacterium, while most noted or the Black Death during the European 14th century, is not a historic pathogen but a re-emerging pandemic with both domestic and global impact. Y. pestis is capable of colonizing the macrophage, and actively subverts phagolysosome maturation to establish a replicative niche known as the Yersinia containing vacuole (YCV). The exploited host factors required to support the YCV are unknown. Here we identified a comprehensive list of host factors required for Y. pestis survival through a genome-wide RNAi high-throughput screen. We …
Characterization Of The Role Of The Burkholderia Pseudomallei Type 3 Secretion System Using In Vivo Imaging., Maria Gabriela Gutierrez
Characterization Of The Role Of The Burkholderia Pseudomallei Type 3 Secretion System Using In Vivo Imaging., Maria Gabriela Gutierrez
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Melioidosis is a fatal infectious disease caused by the Tier 1 Select Agent Burkholderia pseudomallei. Hallmarks of melioidosis include pneumonic disease and prominent septicaemic spread. Both forms of disease are contingent upon the bacterium’s intracellular life cycle and particularly on its ability to escape from host cell phagosomes. Upon encountering a host cell, B. pseudomallei is internalized into membrane-bound vacuoles from which the bacterium must rapidly escape to the cytoplasm in order to replicate and promote its survival. In the host cytoplasm, B. pseudomallei is capable of polymerizing actin for intracellular and intercellular motility and spread, lysing the host …
Modulation Of Cell Death Signaling And Cell Proliferation By The Interaction Of Homoserine Lactones And Paraoxonase 2., Aaron Mackallan Neely
Modulation Of Cell Death Signaling And Cell Proliferation By The Interaction Of Homoserine Lactones And Paraoxonase 2., Aaron Mackallan Neely
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-homoserine lactone (C12) as a quorum-sensing molecule that functions to facilitate bacteria-bacteria communication. C12 has also been reported to affect many aspects of human host cell physiology, including evoking cell death in various types of cells. However, the signaling pathway(s) leading to C12-triggerred cell death remains unclear. To clarify cell death signaling induced by C12, we examined mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) deficient in one or more caspases. Our data indicate that, unlike most apoptotic inducers, C12 evokes a novel form of apoptosis in cells, probably through the direct induction of mitochondrial membrane permeabilization. Previous studies indicate that …
Functional Characterization Of Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans Qsebc : A Bacterial Adrengeric Receptor And Global Regulator Of Virulence., Whitney Weigel
Functional Characterization Of Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans Qsebc : A Bacterial Adrengeric Receptor And Global Regulator Of Virulence., Whitney Weigel
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In order for a pathogen to successfully colonize the host, it must be able to acquire essential nutrients and regulate gene expression to respond to environmental fluctuations. One mechanism bacteria have evolved in order to detect these fluctuations and respond is the two component signal transduction systems (TCS). Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a dental commensal associated with localized aggressive periodontitis, contains a TCS designated QseBC that was previously shown to regulate expression of several iron acquisition genes, biofilm formation and virulence, but the activating signal was unknown []. QseBC is a conserved TCS in the Enterobacteriaceae and Pasteurellaceae, but the activating signal …
Characterization Of The Innate Response To The Ragb Protein Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Justin Hutcherson
Characterization Of The Innate Response To The Ragb Protein Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis., Justin Hutcherson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
More than 64 million people in the US suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are bacterial infections of the hard and soft tissues surrounding the teeth which can lead to tooth loss. Periodontal tissue destruction is caused by inflammatory host-pathogen interactions. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontal diseases and is a keystone periodontal pathogen. The 55kDa immunodominant RagB outer membrane protein of P. gingivalis has been proposed to facilitate iron transport. However, potential interactions between RagB and the innate response have not been examined. RagB homologues in gut Bacteroidetes have been associated with inflammatory …