Pathogenic bacteria, such as Yersinia pestis, are exposed to a wide range of environments within the host and have to be able to adapt to changes in the surrounding environment to establish an infection. One of the most peculiar features of the Y. pestis physiology and virulence is its stringent dependence on alkali/alkaline cations, primarily Ca2+. Despite the importance of calcium in the regulation of Y. pestis virulence factor production, virtually nothing is known about the mechanism of membrane transport of calcium in this organism. In Y. pestis, several different proteins potentially mediate the transport of Ca2+ across the bacterial membrane and some of these proteins are predicted to be able to integrate Ca2+, Na+, and pH homeostasis in this organism. Elucidation of the role of these transport systems in the physiology and ultimately pathogenicity of Y. pestis will allow the assessment of their potential as targets for the development of a novel class of antimicrobials with a completely new mechanism of action.

Public Health Relevance

Despite the importance of calcium in the pathogenesis of Y. pestis, little is known about the membrane pumps that transport calcium. In the present proposal we intend to characterize the various putative calcium pumps encoded by Y. pestis, which could provide new opportunities for the development of novel antimicrobial agents to treat plague.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03AI148953-02
Application #
10119237
Study Section
Prokaryotic Cell and Molecular Biology Study Section (PCMB)
Program Officer
Mukhopadhyay, Suman
Project Start
2020-03-04
Project End
2022-02-28
Budget Start
2021-03-01
Budget End
2022-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2021
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Oregon State University
Department
Veterinary Sciences
Type
Schools of Veterinary Medicine
DUNS #
053599908
City
Corvallis
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97331