The objective is to study the genetic determinants of virulence in Campylobacter jejuni, a common cause of diarrhea of children and adults thoughout the world. We propose to begin by developing a library of Campylobacter genes in a foreign genetic background by cosmid or bacteriophage vector cloning. Clones will be screened to detect expression of Campylobacter-specific sequences, including those which restore physiological deficiencies of the recipient E. coli K12 cells and sequences directing the synthesis of outer membrane polypeptides, employing in vivo and in vitro protein synthesis systems. Once it has been determined that Campylobacter genes are functional in E. coli, we will search for clones expressing three determinants which appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal tract infection, including enterotoxin, cytotoxin, and the ability to invade epithelial cells. These will be detected using bioassays and immune sera directed against specific Campylobacter proteins. Cloned genetic determinants of virulence will then be characterized by subcloning, mapping and nucleotide sequencing. DNA probes containing these sequences will be used to examine their distribution in clinical isolates and to assess their contribution to different clinical syndromes. Ultimately, we wish to produce isogenic mutants in Campylobacter jejuni, each deficient in a single, potential virulence factor, which can be studied in relevant animals models of gastrointestinal tract infection. This could be accomplished by exchanging cloned, inactivated sequences with active genes in Campylobacter via recombination or by developing a genetic exchange system permitting transposon-directed mutagenesis in vivo. Thus, we have also proposed an alternative means of manipulating Campylobacter genetic determinants of virulence, in the event that expression of Campylobacter DNA is not achieved in E. coli K12.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI023796-02
Application #
3136224
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 1 (BM)
Project Start
1986-09-30
Project End
1989-08-31
Budget Start
1987-09-01
Budget End
1988-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1987
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Segal, E D; Cha, J; Lo, J et al. (1999) Altered states: involvement of phosphorylated CagA in the induction of host cellular growth changes by Helicobacter pylori. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 96:14559-64
Segal, E D; Lange, C; Covacci, A et al. (1997) Induction of host signal transduction pathways by Helicobacter pylori. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 94:7595-9
Segal, E D; Falkow, S; Tompkins, L S (1996) Helicobacter pylori attachment to gastric cells induces cytoskeletal rearrangements and tyrosine phosphorylation of host cell proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 93:1259-64
Solnick, J V; Josenhans, C; Suerbaum, S et al. (1995) Construction and characterization of an isogenic urease-negative mutant of Helicobacter mustelae. Infect Immun 63:3718-21
Batterman, H J; Peek, J A; Loutit, J S et al. (1995) Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana adherence to and entry into cultured human epithelial cells. Infect Immun 63:4553-6
Solnick, J V; O'Rourke, J; Lee, A et al. (1994) Molecular analysis of urease genes from a newly identified uncultured species of Helicobacter. Infect Immun 62:1631-8
Solnick, J V; O'Rourke, J; Lee, A et al. (1993) An uncultured gastric spiral organism is a newly identified Helicobacter in humans. J Infect Dis 168:379-85
Segal, E D; Tompkins, L S (1993) Identification and characterization of a Helicobacter pylori hemolysin. Infect Agents Dis 2:178-82
Grant, C C; Konkel, M E; Cieplak Jr, W et al. (1993) Role of flagella in adherence, internalization, and translocation of Campylobacter jejuni in nonpolarized and polarized epithelial cell cultures. Infect Immun 61:1764-71
Segal, E D; Tompkins, L S (1993) Transformation of Helicobacter pylori by electroporation. Biotechniques 14:225-6

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