This is a competing renewal for the North Carolina Program Project on Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This group has been in existence for 10 years, and throughout this time has emphasized use of the tools of molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell Physiology of understand important problems in the pathogenesis, host response and epidemiology of several different sexually transmitted diseases. Particular emphasis has been placed on gonococcal infections. For the upcoming 5 years, 5 integrated projects are presented plus an administrative core support projects. Project 1 (P. F. Sparling, PI), will examine the biochemical mechanisms of gonococcal iron uptake from sources available in humans. The structure and function of several common surface exposed proteins thought to be involved in iron uptake will be investigated by use of recombinant DNA techniques. Project 2 (J. Cannon, PI) will examine the molecular mechanisms for phase and antigenic variation of one of the gonococcal outer membrane proteins, Protein II, as well as the structure and function of a novel gonococcal outer membrane lipoprotein designated H.8. Project 3 (M. Cohen, PI) will investigate the interactions between gonococci and polymorphonuclear neutrophils and related cells, with emphasis on the genetics and biochemistry of gonococcal responses to oxidant and other stresses. Project 4 (P. Wyrick, PI) will investigate the pathogenesis of genital chlamydia using a novel human endometrial cell tissue culture assay perfected by her laboratory. The same endometrial cell model also will be used by collaborating investigators in Projects 1, 2 and 3 to investigate mechanisms of gonococcal Pathogenicity. Project 5 (P. Bassford, PI) will examine the metabolism of Treponema pallidum, using molecular genetic techniques to isolate a wide variety of T. Pallidum genes in E. coli hosts. Because of the extensive interactions between component projects we are confident that the group is much more powerful than the sum of the individual component parts. The activities of the PPG include members of the faculty from the Depts. of Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, and Biochemistry in the School of Medicine and also from the Dept. of Parasitology & Laboratory Practice in the School of Public Health. These activities are also coordinated with related units (SID clinics, AIDS Clinical Study Group) of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and with the Durham County Health Department in Durham, N.C.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
2P01AI015036-11
Application #
3091441
Study Section
(SRC)
Project Start
1978-07-01
Project End
1991-06-30
Budget Start
1988-07-01
Budget End
1989-06-30
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
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Cornelissen, C N; Biswas, G D; Tsai, J et al. (1992) Gonococcal transferrin-binding protein 1 is required for transferrin utilization and is homologous to TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors. J Bacteriol 174:5788-97
Stuart, E S; Wyrick, P B; Choong, J et al. (1991) Examination of chlamydial glycolipid with monoclonal antibodies: cellular distribution and epitope binding. Immunology 74:740-7
Hubbard, C L; Gherardini, F C; Bassford Jr, P J et al. (1991) Molecular cloning and characterization of a 35.5-kilodalton lipoprotein of Treponema pallidum. Infect Immun 59:1521-8
Schmiel, D H; Knight, S T; Raulston, J E et al. (1991) Recombinant Escherichia coli clones expressing Chlamydia trachomatis gene products attach to human endometrial epithelial cells. Infect Immun 59:4001-12
Elkins, C; Thomas, C E; Seifert, H S et al. (1991) Species-specific uptake of DNA by gonococci is mediated by a 10-base-pair sequence. J Bacteriol 173:3911-3
Stamm, L V; Parrish, E A; Gherardini, F C (1991) Cloning of the recA gene from a free-living leptospire and distribution of RecA-like protein among spirochetes. Appl Environ Microbiol 57:183-9
Stamm, L V; Gherardini, F C; Parrish, E A et al. (1991) Heat shock response of spirochetes. Infect Immun 59:1572-5
Hassett, D J; Charniga, L; Cohen, M S (1990) recA and catalase in H2O2-mediated toxicity in Neisseria gonorrhoeae. J Bacteriol 172:7293-6
Blanton, K J; Biswas, G D; Tsai, J et al. (1990) Genetic evidence that Neisseria gonorrhoeae produces specific receptors for transferrin and lactoferrin. J Bacteriol 172:5225-35

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