The severity and duration of food-borne diseases are influenced by plasmid-encoded virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes. Environmental pathogens such as Escherchia coli, Salmonella, and Shigella, which are transmitted to the food chain from polluted irrigation and fertilization systems, have been shown to possess both of these plasmid-encoded elements. Patients infected with either virulent or antibiotic resistant microorganisms from contaminated food face severely limited treatment options or significantly prolonged therapeutic regimens. My long term objectives are to increase our understanding of conjugative plasmid transfer between environmental pathogens as it relates to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors. Conjugative plasmid transfer is the method by which these elements are spread among pathogenic and non-pathogenic microbial strains. Transfer of the prototypical F (fertility) plasmid and the numerous R (resistance) plasmids is mediated by a plasmid-specific Tral enzyme. We have identified potent (EC50 and Ki values in the nanomolar range) inhibitors of F plasmid transfer and Tral-mediated plasmid cleavage. Because F and R plasmid Tral enzymes share up to 98% sequence identity, I hypothesize that similar small molecules will be effective inhibitors of R plasmid transfer.
The specific aims of this proposal are to: first, identify potent inhibitors of the F plasmid Tral enzyme;second, compare the structure of the Tral enzyme from the F plasmid to those of R plasmid Tral enzymes;third, identify inhibitors targeting the R plasmid Tral enzymes. I will use a combination of molecular biology and biochemistry to elucidate the structural basis of Tral inhibition and to identify new inhibitors of Tral enzymes encoded on the both F and R plasmids. This is a necessary first step to address the widespread and growing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
5F30ES016488-03
Application #
7737874
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F13-P (20))
Program Officer
Humble, Michael C
Project Start
2007-11-15
Project End
2013-05-31
Budget Start
2009-11-15
Budget End
2011-05-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$28,142
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
608195277
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Nash, Rebekah P; McNamara, Dan E; Ballentine 3rd, W Keith et al. (2012) Investigating the impact of bisphosphonates and structurally related compounds on bacteria containing conjugative plasmids. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 424:697-703
Nash, Rebekah P; Niblock, Franklin C; Redinbo, Matthew R (2011) Tyrosine partners coordinate DNA nicking by the Salmonella typhimurium plasmid pCU1 relaxase enzyme. FEBS Lett 585:1216-22
Cheng, Yuan; McNamara, Dan E; Miley, Michael J et al. (2011) Functional characterization of the multidomain F plasmid TraI relaxase-helicase. J Biol Chem 286:12670-82
Nash, Rebekah Potts; Habibi, Sohrab; Cheng, Yuan et al. (2010) The mechanism and control of DNA transfer by the conjugative relaxase of resistance plasmid pCU1. Nucleic Acids Res 38:5929-43