: Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a disease characterized by severe diarrhea and dehydration. As a natural inhabitant of oceans, estuaries, rivers, and lakes, V. cholerae is well adapted for survival in both fresh water and marine environments. V. cholerae bioflims have been observed in the human intestine and in the aquatic environment. The goal of this research is to identify and characterize the genes and environmental signals that guide bio film development by V. cholerae in diverse aquatic environments. Results of this work may provide a scientific basis for the correlation of epidemic cholera with environmental parameters, increase our understanding of the diversity of bioflims formed by gram-negative organisms, and form the basis for rational design of inhibitors of bacterial attachment to be used in environmental approaches to the control of cholera and in the prevention of biofilm-associated infections including central venous catheter sepsis, prosthetic joint infections, and endocarditis.
The Specific Aims of this research are: 1) To study the mechanism of action of Bfr 1, a recently identified, novel regulator of biofilm development, 2) To identify and characterize additional environmental signals and regulators that guide V. cholerae biofilm development in fresh water, and 3) To identify and characterize the environmental signals and regulators that guide V. cholerae biofilm development in sea water.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI050032-01A1
Application #
6480017
Study Section
Bacteriology and Mycology Subcommittee 2 (BM)
Program Officer
Hall, Robert H
Project Start
2002-05-01
Project End
2007-04-30
Budget Start
2002-05-01
Budget End
2003-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$282,770
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
Pickering, Bradley S; Lopilato, Jane E; Smith, Daniel R et al. (2014) The transcription factor Mlc promotes Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation through repression of phosphotransferase system components. J Bacteriol 196:2423-30
Ymele-Leki, Patrick; Houot, Laetitia; Watnick, Paula I (2013) Mannitol and the mannitol-specific enzyme IIB subunit activate Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation. Appl Environ Microbiol 79:4675-83
Pickering, Bradley S; Smith, Daniel R; Watnick, Paula I (2012) Glucose-specific enzyme IIA has unique binding partners in the vibrio cholerae biofilm. MBio 3:e00228-12
Ymele-Leki, Patrick; Cao, Shugeng; Sharp, Jared et al. (2012) A high-throughput screen identifies a new natural product with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. PLoS One 7:e31307
Absalon, Cedric; Van Dellen, Katrina; Watnick, Paula I (2011) A communal bacterial adhesin anchors biofilm and bystander cells to surfaces. PLoS Pathog 7:e1002210
Houot, Laetitia; Chang, Sarah; Pickering, Bradley S et al. (2010) The phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system regulates Vibrio cholerae biofilm formation through multiple independent pathways. J Bacteriol 192:3055-67
Houot, Laetitia; Chang, Sarah; Absalon, Cedric et al. (2010) Vibrio cholerae phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system control of carbohydrate transport, biofilm formation, and colonization of the germfree mouse intestine. Infect Immun 78:1482-94
Karatan, Ece; Watnick, Paula (2009) Signals, regulatory networks, and materials that build and break bacterial biofilms. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 73:310-47
Van Dellen, Katrina L; Houot, Laetitia; Watnick, Paula I (2008) Genetic analysis of Vibrio cholerae monolayer formation reveals a key role for DeltaPsi in the transition to permanent attachment. J Bacteriol 190:8185-96
Houot, Laetitia; Watnick, Paula I (2008) A novel role for enzyme I of the Vibrio cholerae phosphoenolpyruvate phosphotransferase system in regulation of growth in a biofilm. J Bacteriol 190:311-20

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