The adhesion of bacteria to surfaces plays an important role in disease, providing the critical first step in the biofouling of a surface and in biofilm formation. The general goal of this research is to reach a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of bacterial adhesion, from the biophysics of adhesion to the coordination of the biosynthesis of cell surface structures that participate in this process. This project takes advantage of the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, in which adhesive structures are synthesized in an ordered fashion at the same pole of the cell, making the study of adhesion more amenable than in most bacteria. Initial stages of adhesion involve flagellar motility and pili, and adhesion is cemented by synthesis of a polysaccharide holdfast. Pathogenic bacteria also use these adhesive structures, but their mechanism of action in adhesion is poorly understood. In addition, the adhesive force of individual Caulobacter cells is the strongest ever measured for a biological adhesive. This project has three major aims.
The first aim will use highly synchronized cultures coupled to atomic force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and biophysical modeling to develop a detailed understanding of the various stages of adhesion. In particular, this aim will investigate a newly discovered surface contact-dependent trigger of adhesive polysaccharide export; this mechanism may also be used by pathogens.
The second aim i s to determine the function of holdfast polysaccharide synthesis and attachment proteins. Experiments are described to determine the biochemical function of these proteins and their contribution to adhesion.
The third aim i s to elucidate the mechanisms that control the timing and polar localization of holdfast synthesis. The effect of constitutively expressing holdfast synthesis proteins during the cell cycle on the timing of holdfast synthesis and adhesion will be determined. The localization of holdfast synthesis and attachment proteins and their interdependence for localization will be studied, and factors required for their localization will be identified. Bacterial adhesion, polysaccharide biosynthesis, and subcellular localization of proteins and virulence factors are essential components of bacterial pathogenesis. Insight gained from the study of this simple model system will be applicable to more complex bacterial pathogens and will enhance our ability to inhibit them. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM077648-01A1
Application #
7212666
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Flicker, Paula F
Project Start
2007-02-01
Project End
2011-01-31
Budget Start
2007-02-01
Budget End
2008-01-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$312,005
Indirect Cost
Name
Indiana University Bloomington
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
006046700
City
Bloomington
State
IN
Country
United States
Zip Code
47401
Li, Guanglai; Brun, Yves V; Tang, Jay X (2013) Holdfast spreading and thickening during Caulobacter crescentus attachment to surfaces. BMC Microbiol 13:139
Madren, Seth M; Hoffman, Michelle D; Brown, Pamela J B et al. (2012) Microfluidic device for automated synchronization of bacterial cells. Anal Chem 84:8571-8
Curtis, Patrick D; Quardokus, Ellen M; Lawler, Melanie L et al. (2012) The scaffolding and signalling functions of a localization factor impact polar development. Mol Microbiol 84:712-35
Patel, Kinnari B; Toh, Evelyn; Fernandez, Ximena B et al. (2012) Functional characterization of UDP-glucose:undecaprenyl-phosphate glucose-1-phosphate transferases of Escherichia coli and Caulobacter crescentus. J Bacteriol 194:2646-57
Li, Guanglai; Brown, Pamela J B; Tang, Jay X et al. (2012) Surface contact stimulates the just-in-time deployment of bacterial adhesins. Mol Microbiol 83:41-51
Brown, Pamela J B; de Pedro, Miguel A; Kysela, David T et al. (2012) Polar growth in the Alphaproteobacterial order Rhizobiales. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:1697-701
Li, Guanglai; Bensson, James; Nisimova, Liana et al. (2011) Accumulation of swimming bacteria near a solid surface. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys 84:041932
Brown, Pamela J B; Kysela, David T; Brun, Yves V (2011) Polarity and the diversity of growth mechanisms in bacteria. Semin Cell Dev Biol 22:790-8
Chertkov, Olga; Brown, Pamela J B; Kysela, David T et al. (2011) Complete genome sequence of Hirschia baltica type strain (IFAM 1418(T)). Stand Genomic Sci 5:287-97
Brown, Pamela J B; Kysela, David T; Buechlein, Aaron et al. (2011) Genome sequences of eight morphologically diverse Alphaproteobacteria. J Bacteriol 193:4567-8

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