Certain bacteria regulate gene expression in a density-dependent manner, a phenomenon referred to as """"""""quorum sensing"""""""". One of the key regulatory proteins in the quorum response pathway is ComS, which controls the expression of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, genes known to be regulated by the alternate sigma factor sigma-H, and the putative transcription factor LrpC. The overall focus of this proposed research is to characterize the regulatory pathways controlled by ComS with an emphasis on possible connections between the quorum response and regulated proteolysis. A global approach will be used to determine the role of ComS in regulating expression of IrpC by identifying the step at which the expression of IrpC is affected by ComS, characterizing cis- and trans-acting factors that affect lrpC expression, and determining whether LrpC negatively affects its own expression in a ComS-dependent manner. A mechanistic approach will be used to determine whether the stability of key regulatory proteins is controlled by ComS and, if so, I will characterize how ComS affects proteolysis of these proteins. Understanding the regulatory pathways governing the quorum response will aid in our better understanding of how bacteria communicate with one another.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32GM071224-01
Application #
6793386
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (20))
Program Officer
Tompkins, Laurie
Project Start
2004-04-01
Project End
2007-03-31
Budget Start
2004-04-01
Budget End
2005-03-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$42,976
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001425594
City
Cambridge
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02139