Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) is an emerging Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that is found with increasing frequency in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The bacterium causes melioidosis, a disease comprising difficult-to-treat infections ranging from acute sepsis to long-lasting chronic manifestations. Ourknowledge of the arsenal of factors that allow Bp to invade, spread and survive in the host is stil rudimentary at best, and virtually nothing is known about iron acquisition pathways crucial for bacterial survival. Previously it was assumed that the organism employs iron-acquisition systems commonly found in other Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, but our preliminary data indicate that Bp may employ a ferritin-iron acquisition pathway. The studies proposed here are intended to elucidate a critical pathway required for the pathogenesis of this emerging pathogen. First, we will assess whether access to ferritin-iron involves proteolytic degradation ofthe ferritin scaffold. Second, we will obtain evidence for existence of a ferritin-iron acquisitionpathway by identifying mutants defective in ferritin-iron transport. Third, we will investigate in vivo requirements for ferritin-iron acquisition genes using cell culture and mouse models. Results from these investigations will substantially alter our current view of iron acquisition mechanisms in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and also provide a more complete picture of the pathogenesis of infection with Bp.
Burkholderia pseudomallei is an emerging pathogen that in tropical and subtropical regions of the world appears to be more prevalent than previously thought. In endemic regions it is one of the prime causes of rapidly fatal bacterial sepsis. B. pseudomallei infections are difficult to treat because the bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics. Despite increased efforts in the field surprisingly little is yet known about how the bacterium survives in the host. We will therefore study the mechanisms that allow B. pseudomallei to acquire the crucially important element iron for survival in the host. Previously i was assumed that the organism used iron acquisition systems commonly found in other bacterial pathogens; but our preliminary data indicate that B. pseudomallei may employ a pathway for ferritin-iron acquisition. We will study this pathway using biochemical and genetic approaches; as well as cell culture and mouse models of infection.
