Mobile genetic elements have profoundly influenced the evolution of bacterial pathogens. Many determinants of virulence and antibiotic resistance are borne by mobile elements, such as plasmids and bacteriophages, which are capable of horizontal transmission. During the current grant cycle, we explored several fundamental questions regarding the molecular biology of two mobile genetic elements, CTXqj and SXT, which have profoundly influenced the pathogenicity and evolution ofthe cholera pathogen. Vibrio cholerae. Addressing these aims has yielded observations that suggest previously unrecognized mechanisms of bacteriophage gene regulation and new insights regarding the biology and evolution of Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs). Furthermore, knowledge gained from these studies proved to be critical for our studies of the origin of the V. cholerae strain that gave rise to the cholera outbreak in Haiti. During this grant cycle, we also expanded the scope of our work to include investigation of new aspects of V. cholerae biology and pathogenicity. In particular, we developed a new infant rabbit model of disease that closely resembles human cholera. We will exploit this model and new high throughput tools we have developed to address three new aims during the MERIT extension period: 1) Assess the spatial and temporal patterns of V. cholerae gene expression during infection; 2) Identify and characterize the determinants of V. cholerae transmission; and 3) Characterize the innate immune response to V. cholerae intestinal colonization. Completion of these studies will provide the most comprehensive knowledge ofthe course of gene expression during infection for any bacterial pathogen. Additionally, it will enhance our understanding of the processes underlying V. cholerae pathogenicity and transmission. Finally, these studies should provide insight into the innate immune response within the intestinal tract, modulation of which has profound ramifications both for normal intestinal homeostasis and for disease. Collectively, these studies will yield valuable new knowledge for the creation of new antimicrobial agents and vaccines.

Public Health Relevance

threat from cholera, an acutely dehydrating diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae, is dramatically illustrated by the devesting cholera outbreak that began in Haiti in October 2010. The long-term aims of our studies - to understand the evolution, biology, and mechanisms of pathogenicity of V. cholerae - are promoting our ability to modulate disease in individuals and its spread within a community.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37AI042347-22
Application #
9185259
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Program Officer
Hall, Robert H
Project Start
1998-01-01
Project End
2018-05-31
Budget Start
2017-01-01
Budget End
2018-05-31
Support Year
22
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
Alvarado, Alejandra; Kjær, Andreas; Yang, Wen et al. (2017) Coupling chemosensory array formation and localization. Elife 6:
Zhang, Ting; Abel, Sören; Abel Zur Wiesch, Pia et al. (2017) Deciphering the landscape of host barriers to Listeria monocytogenes infection. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114:6334-6339
Dörr, Tobias; Delgado, Fernanda; Umans, Benjamin D et al. (2016) A Transposon Screen Identifies Genetic Determinants of Vibrio cholerae Resistance to High-Molecular-Weight Antibiotics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 60:4757-63
Sasabe, Jumpei; Miyoshi, Yurika; Rakoff-Nahoum, Seth et al. (2016) Interplay between microbial d-amino acids and host d-amino acid oxidase modifies murine mucosal defence and gut microbiota. Nat Microbiol 1:16125
Dörr, Tobias; Alvarez, Laura; Delgado, Fernanda et al. (2016) A cell wall damage response mediated by a sensor kinase/response regulator pair enables beta-lactam tolerance. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:404-9
Chao, Michael C; Abel, Sören; Davis, Brigid M et al. (2016) The design and analysis of transposon insertion sequencing experiments. Nat Rev Microbiol 14:119-28
Hatzios, Stavroula K; Abel, Sören; Martell, Julianne et al. (2016) Chemoproteomic profiling of host and pathogen enzymes active in cholera. Nat Chem Biol 12:268-274
Hubbard, Troy P; Chao, Michael C; Abel, Sören et al. (2016) Genetic analysis of Vibrio parahaemolyticus intestinal colonization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113:6283-8
Blondel, Carlos J; Park, Joseph S; Hubbard, Troy P et al. (2016) CRISPR/Cas9 Screens Reveal Requirements for Host Cell Sulfation and Fucosylation in Bacterial Type III Secretion System-Mediated Cytotoxicity. Cell Host Microbe 20:226-37
Kimura, Satoshi; Hubbard, Troy P; Davis, Brigid M et al. (2016) The Nucleoid Binding Protein H-NS Biases Genome-Wide Transposon Insertion Landscapes. MBio 7:

Showing the most recent 10 out of 92 publications