Cell-cell signaling controls many processes in the biological world, including development, pathogenesis, mating, and transformation. Signaling processes are often mediated by factors (e. g., hormones, pheromones, neurotransmitters) that are produced by some cells and sensed by others. In bacteria, the ability to sense and respond to high population density is a type of autocrine cell-cell signaling often referred to as quorum sensing. Cells produce extracellular signaling molecules that accumulate as population density increases, and a physiological response occurs at a critical density. The long term goal of this project is to understand how quorum sensing controls gene expression and differentiation in Bacillus subtilis. We will focus on two peptide signaling factors that contribute to quorum sensing in B. subtilis: (1) ComX pheromone, a 10 amino acid peptide with a hydrophobic modification on a tryptophan, and (2) competence and sporulation stimulating factor, CSF, an unmodified pentapeptide. Both signaling molecules accumulate in culture medium as cells grow to high density and contribute to the activation (phosphorylation) of the transcription factor ComA. There are many steps required for signaling by ComX pheromone and CSF, including production of the active signaling molecules and interaction with the appropriate target molecules. CSF is transported into the cell via a the oligopeptide permease Spo0K, a member of the large family of ATP-dependent transporters, whereas ComX pheromone probably interacts with a membrane receptor histidine protein kinase ComP. We plan to address the following questions relating to both ComX pheromone and CSF: What are the determinants of biological activity? What controls production? What are the mechanisms of the response and what are the direct targets of interaction? What genes are activated by the cellular response? Our studies on quorum sensing and gene expression in this relatively simple, experimentally accessible microbe should provide insights into general mechanisms of cell-cell signaling, signal transduction, and regulation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01GM050895-06
Application #
2910145
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1994-05-01
Project End
2002-04-30
Budget Start
1999-05-01
Budget End
2000-04-30
Support Year
6
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02139
Johnson, Christopher M; Grossman, Alan D (2016) The Composition of the Cell Envelope Affects Conjugation in Bacillus subtilis. J Bacteriol 198:1241-9
Wright, Laurel D; Grossman, Alan D (2016) Autonomous Replication of the Conjugative Transposon Tn916. J Bacteriol 198:3355-3366
Wright, Laurel D; Johnson, Christopher M; Grossman, Alan D (2015) Identification of a Single Strand Origin of Replication in the Integrative and Conjugative Element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. PLoS Genet 11:e1005556
Leonetti, Cori T; Hamada, Matt A; Laurer, Stephanie J et al. (2015) Critical Components of the Conjugation Machinery of the Integrative and Conjugative Element ICEBs1 of Bacillus subtilis. J Bacteriol 197:2558-67
Johnson, Christopher M; Grossman, Alan D (2015) Integrative and Conjugative Elements (ICEs): What They Do and How They Work. Annu Rev Genet 49:577-601
DeWitt, Tyler; Grossman, Alan D (2014) The bifunctional cell wall hydrolase CwlT is needed for conjugation of the integrative and conjugative element ICEBs1 in Bacillus subtilis and B. anthracis. J Bacteriol 196:1588-96
Johnson, Christopher M; Grossman, Alan D (2014) Identification of host genes that affect acquisition of an integrative and conjugative element in Bacillus subtilis. Mol Microbiol 93:1284-301
Thomas, Jacob; Lee, Catherine A; Grossman, Alan D (2013) A conserved helicase processivity factor is needed for conjugation and replication of an integrative and conjugative element. PLoS Genet 9:e1003198
Menard, Kayla L; Grossman, Alan D (2013) Selective pressures to maintain attachment site specificity of integrative and conjugative elements. PLoS Genet 9:e1003623
Kommineni, Sushma; Lama, Amrita; Popescu, Benjamin et al. (2012) Global transcriptional control by NsrR in Bacillus subtilis. J Bacteriol 194:1679-88

Showing the most recent 10 out of 39 publications