Characterization of Tadz in A.actinomycetemcomitans

伴生放线杆菌(Aa)是一种革兰氏阴性杆菌，可引起局部侵袭性牙周炎和脑脓肿、感染性心内膜炎等感染。AA中的Tad分泌系统构成了细菌中一种新的分泌系统，已在包括重要病原体在内的多种细菌中发现。再生障碍性贫血的Tad分泌系统由14个基因座(TAD)编码。形成强大的生物膜和在表面定植的能力取决于TAD基因座。此外，Tad分泌系统是决定AA毒力的重要因素。TadZ是Tad分泌系统中的一个独特成分。因此，它在这一新的分泌系统中的功能仍不清楚。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被用来确定TadZ是否定位于细胞极点。最后，将识别和测试互动伙伴、自我互动能力和ATPase活性。这些研究不仅将揭示TadZ的功能，而且将开始揭示Tad分泌系统的结构和架构。

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.