FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF RNS, A VIRULENCE REGULATOR

描述(改编自申请人的摘要)： 许多肠道致病菌中的毒力因子依赖于 来自同源毒力调节器家族的调节蛋白。RNS IS 这个家庭的代表成员，并且是表达 一种常见的产肠毒素大肠杆菌CS1菌毛的粘附性 人类腹泻的原因。RNS对黏附分子表达的调节作用 菌毛对模拟胃肠道的环境条件的反应 寄主的途径，因为CS1菌毛不是组成性表达的，RNS 与配体依赖调节因子AraC同源。或者，RNS 可能是一种结构性激活剂，其作用是通过其他 调控途径。本研究将采用体内和体外分析的方法 RNS及其DNA结合位点来确定RNS的活性是否 直接或间接受环境条件影响的。最终的 RNS调控途径的阐述可能为以下方面提供新的途径 通过阐明所需的潜在治疗目标来预防疾病 用于肠道细菌病原体中毒力因子的表达。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from the applicant's abstract): The expression of virulence factors in many enteric bacterial pathogens is dependent upon a regulatory protein from a family of homologous virulence regulators. Rns is a representative member of this family and is required for the expression of adherent CS1 pili in enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, a common cause of diarrhea in humans. Rns may regulate the expression of adherent pili in response to environmental conditions that mimic the gastrointestinal tract of the host because CS1 pili are not expressed constitutively and Rns is homologous to the ligand dependent regulator AraC. Alternatively, Rns may be a constitutive activator whose effects are modulated through other regulatory pathways. This study will use in vivo and in vitro analysis of Rns and its DNA binding sites to determine if the activity of Rns is directly or indirectly affected by environmental conditions. The definitive elaboration of the Rns regulatory pathway may present new avenues for disease prevention by illuminating potential therapeutic targets required for the expression of virulence factors in enteric bacterial pathogens.