Characterization of Tadz in A.actinomycetemcomitans

放线菌comitans （Aa）是一种革兰氏阴性细菌，是局部侵袭性牙周炎和其他感染（如脑脓肿和感染性心内膜炎）的病原体。Aa中的Tad分泌系统是细菌中一个全新的分泌系统，已在包括重要病原体在内的多种细菌中被发现。在Aa中，Tad分泌系统由14个基因位点（Tad）编码。形成强生物膜和在表面定植的能力取决于tad位点。此外，Tad分泌系统在Aa中是一个重要的毒力决定因素。TadZ是Tad分泌系统的独特组成部分。因此，其在这种新型分泌系统中的功能尚不清楚。我们将探讨TadZ在这一分泌系统中的作用和功能。本实验旨在阐明TadZ的功能，确定TadZ的细胞定位。标准的荧光显微镜和生化技术将用于确定TadZ是否定位于细胞极点。最后，交互伙伴，自我交互能力和atp酶活性将被识别和测试。这些研究不仅将揭示TadZ的功能，而且将开始揭示Tad分泌系统的结构和结构。

A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), a gram-negative bacterium, is the causative agent of localized aggressive periodontitis and other infections such as brain abscesses and infective endocarditis. The Tad secretion system in Aa constitutes a novel secretion system in bacteria and has been discovered in a variety of bacteria including significant pathogens. In Aa the Tad secretion system is encoded by 14-gene loci (tad). The ability to form strong biofilms and colonize surfaces is dependent on the tad loci. Furthermore, the Tad secretion system is an important virulence determinate in Aa. TadZ is a unique component of the Tad secretion system. Therefore, its function in this novel secretion system remains unknown. The role and function of TadZ in this secretion system will be explored. The experiments are directed at elucidated the function of TadZ and determining the cellular localization of TadZ. Standard fluorescence microscopy and biochemical techniques will used to determine if TadZ localizes to the cell pole. Lastly, interacting partners, ability to self-interact, and ATPase activity will be identified and tested. The studies will not only reveal the function of TadZ, but it will begin to reveal the structure and architecture of the Tad Secretion system.