Streptococcal diseases are among the most common bacterial infections in man. One approach to the control of infectious diseases is the use of antibacterial drugs. Our studies have previously identified three tetracycline resistance determinants and have shown that two of these determinants (tetM and tetN) mediate resistance by a novel mechanism involving a cytoplasmic factor which associates with ribosomes and renders protein synthesis resistant to the drug. The tetM determinant may be particularly significant in chemical terms since it has been identified in a number of other bacterial pathogens. Elucidation of the basis of tetM mediated resistance will provide information not only about this resistance mechanism but also about ribosome function and response to antibiotics during protein synthesis. We will purify the resistance factor and characterize its interaction with ribosomes and investigate the biochemical basis of tetM action. The tetN determinant will be cloned and the resistance region defined using deletion analysis and insertion mutagenesis. The tetN gene products will be analyzed in minicells and by in vitro translation. Vaccines are also useful in control of infectious diseases. M- protein is a surface protein associated with virulence of group A streptococcus and antibodies directed against this protein protect the host against subsequent infection by the same group A streptococcal serotype. To begin molecular characterization of this protein, we have cloned and sequenced the serotype 24 M- protein gene of group A streptococcus. The mature M-protein is novel in that it contains several highly conserved repeated sequences; the carboxyl terminal portion of the protein is also conserved among different serotypes. These latter regions of the M-24 protein can be specifically overproduced and tested for their ability to elicit protective antibodies against a variety of M- protein serotypes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AI015619-09
Application #
3126289
Study Section
Microbial Physiology and Genetics Subcommittee 2 (MBC)
Project Start
1979-01-01
Project End
1992-11-30
Budget Start
1987-12-01
Budget End
1988-11-30
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
1988
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
071723621
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Dantley, K A; Dannelly, H K; Burdett, V (1998) Binding interaction between Tet(M) and the ribosome: requirements for binding. J Bacteriol 180:4089-92
Burdett, V (1996) Tet(M)-promoted release of tetracycline from ribosomes is GTP dependent. J Bacteriol 178:3246-51
Burdett, V (1993) tRNA modification activity is necessary for Tet(M)-mediated tetracycline resistance. J Bacteriol 175:7209-15
Burdett, V (1991) Purification and characterization of Tet(M), a protein that renders ribosomes resistant to tetracycline. J Biol Chem 266:2872-7
Burdett, V (1990) Nucleotide sequence of the tet(M) gene of Tn916. Nucleic Acids Res 18:6137
Miller, L; Burdett, V; Poirier, T P et al. (1988) Conservation of protective and nonprotective epitopes in M proteins of group A streptococci. Infect Immun 56:2198-204
Mouw, A R; Beachey, E H; Burdett, V (1988) Molecular evolution of streptococcal M protein: cloning and nucleotide sequence of the type 24 M protein gene and relation to other genes of Streptococcus pyogenes. J Bacteriol 170:676-84
Haanes-Fritz, E; Kraus, W; Burdett, V et al. (1988) Comparison of the leader sequences of four group A streptococcal M protein genes. Nucleic Acids Res 16:4667-77
McMurry, L M; Park, B H; Burdett, V et al. (1987) Energy-dependent efflux mediated by class L (tetL) tetracycline resistance determinant from streptococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 31:1648-50
Burdett, V (1986) Streptococcal tetracycline resistance mediated at the level of protein synthesis. J Bacteriol 165:564-9

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