This proposal focuses on Bacillus anthracis virulence gene control, with emphasis on the expression and function of the major virulence gene regulator AtxA. B. anthracis is a developmental bacterium existing in two distinct physiological states, metabolically active vegetative cells and dormant spores. The spore - vegetative cell cycle is of fundamental importance in pathogenesis. Spores enter a mammalian host and germinate to become vegetative cells. During infection, B. anthracis remains vegetative and synthesizes capsule, anthrax toxin proteins, and other factors that facilitate pathogenesis;sporulation does not occur. However, upon death of the host when vegetative cells are exposed to the environment, toxins and capsule are not produced and B. anthracis sporulates efficiently. Thus, the inverse relationship between virulence factor synthesis and sporulation is physiologically significant for anthrax pathogenesis. The major link between these two processes is AtxA. Investigations in our laboratory and others have revealed a relationship between this major pleiotropic regulator of virulence gene expression and the physiological state of cells grown in batch culture. B. anthracis homologues of developmental regulators that have been well-characterized in the non- pathogenic Bacillus species B. subtilis have been linked to transcription of atxA. Moreover, AtxA function appears to be controlled by post-translational modification and host-associated signals. In this work, we will (1) perform functional analyses of AtxA, (2) determine molecular mechanisms for control of atxA expression, and (3) establish the physiological relevance of atxA regulators and specific functional modifications of the AtxA protein in anthrax disease. B. anthracis is a Category A Select Agent and the development of more effective chemotherapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics for anthrax disease is a national priority. Defining and characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which B. anthracis controls virulence gene expression will advance our fundamental understanding of B. anthracis pathogenesis and facilitate a rational approach for the development of anthrax countermeasures. Furthermore, information regarding the molecular function of the novel regulator AtxA will contribute to our overall understanding of mechanisms of gene regulation. Finally, information obtained in this study can be applied to other infectious agents because B. anthracis is an ideal model for multiple features of host-pathogen interactions, environmental signaling in bacteria, and other aspects of bacterial physiology.

Public Health Relevance

B. anthracis is a Category A Select Agent and the development of more effective chemotherapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics for anthrax disease is a national priority. Defining and characterizing the molecular mechanisms by which B. anthracis controls virulence gene expression will advance our fundamental understanding of B. anthracis pathogenesis and facilitate a rational approach for the development of anthrax countermeasures. Exploration of the molecular basis for toxin and capsule gene expression in B. anthracis in combination with animal studies assessing significance of key regulators will fill a critical gap in knowledge regarding the spatial and temporal nature of B. anthracis development and virulence factor synthesis within the host. Furthermore, information obtained in this study can be applied to other infectious agents because B. anthracis is an ideal model for multiple features of host-pathogen interactions, environmental signaling in bacteria, and other aspects of bacterial physiology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI033537-19
Application #
8486360
Study Section
Bacterial Pathogenesis Study Section (BACP)
Program Officer
Breen, Joseph J
Project Start
1992-12-01
Project End
2015-06-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$359,683
Indirect Cost
$119,701
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center Houston
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771594
City
Houston
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77225
Dale, Jennifer L; Raynor, Malik J; Ty, Maureen C et al. (2018) A Dual Role for the Bacillus anthracis Master Virulence Regulator AtxA: Control of Sporulation and Anthrax Toxin Production. Front Microbiol 9:482
Raynor, Malik J; Roh, Jung-Hyeob; Widen, Stephen G et al. (2018) Regulons and protein-protein interactions of PRD-containing Bacillus anthracis virulence regulators reveal overlapping but distinct functions. Mol Microbiol :
Swick, Michelle C; Koehler, Theresa M; Driks, Adam (2016) Surviving Between Hosts: Sporulation and Transmission. Microbiol Spectr 4:
Scarff, Jennifer M; Raynor, Malik J; Seldina, Yuliya I et al. (2016) The roles of AtxA orthologs in virulence of anthrax-like Bacillus cereus G9241. Mol Microbiol 102:545-561
Terwilliger, Austen; Swick, Michelle C; Pflughoeft, Kathryn J et al. (2015) Bacillus anthracis Overcomes an Amino Acid Auxotrophy by Cleaving Host Serum Proteins. J Bacteriol 197:2400-11
Hammerstrom, Troy G; Horton, Lori B; Swick, Michelle C et al. (2015) Crystal structure of Bacillus anthracis virulence regulator AtxA and effects of phosphorylated histidines on multimerization and activity. Mol Microbiol 95:426-41
Pflughoeft, Kathryn J; Swick, Michelle C; Engler, David A et al. (2014) Modulation of the Bacillus anthracis secretome by the immune inhibitor A1 protease. J Bacteriol 196:424-35
Lovchik, Julie A; Drysdale, Melissa; Koehler, Theresa M et al. (2012) Expression of either lethal toxin or edema toxin by Bacillus anthracis is sufficient for virulence in a rabbit model of inhalational anthrax. Infect Immun 80:2414-25
Dale, Jennifer L; Raynor, Malik J; Dwivedi, Prabhat et al. (2012) cis-Acting elements that control expression of the master virulence regulatory gene atxA in Bacillus anthracis. J Bacteriol 194:4069-79
Pflughoeft, Kathryn J; Sumby, Paul; Koehler, Theresa M (2011) Bacillus anthracis sin locus and regulation of secreted proteases. J Bacteriol 193:631-9

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