SdiA regulation of EHEC virulence

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is responsible for outbreaks of bloody diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome throughout the world. The main reservoir for EHEC is cattle herds. EHEC colonization of cattle has been shown to require a functional locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) region, involved in intestinal adhesion, and formation of lesions on enterocytes named attaching and effacing (AE) lesions, as well as a functional SdiA transcription factor. SdiA is a quorum sensing transcription factor that requires its autoinducer, an acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) for proper folding and function. EHEC harbors SdiA, but does not produce an AHL autoinducer, consequently having to sense AHLs produced by other species of bacteria in the environment. These observations, combined with reports showing that AHLs are prominent within cattle rumen, suggest an important role for SdiA- AHL mediated regulation of EHEC genes necessary for colonization of the bovine gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We demonstrated that both synthetic AHLs, as well as AHLs extracted from cattle rumen repress expression of the LEE genes. However, the role of diet in modulating AHL levels within the rumen, and their correlation with EHEC shedding remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the mechanisms by which SdiA regulates transcription are still unknown. Finally, the distribution of an sdiA mutant within the intestinal tract of cattle, as well as a definitive reason underlying its attenuation remains to be established. Accordingly the Specific Aims of this study are: Specific Aim 1: To assess the presence of AHLs in rumen samples from cattle, as well as their correlation with diet and EHEC shedding. Specific Aim 2: Determine the molecular mechanisms of SdiA-dependent gene regulation. Specific Aim 3: Characterize the distribution of an sdiA mutant within the bovine intestine, and better define the basis for this mutant's diminished ability to colonize cattle. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Enterohemorrhagic E.coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is the agent responsible for outbreaks of bloody diarrhea throughout the world. The main reservoir for EHEC is cattle herds. Consequently, diminishing cattle colonization and shedding of EHEC is of great interest to human health. In this grant proposal, we aim to understand how a signaling mechanism between bacterial cells through a small molecule called acyl-homoserine lactone, which is present in the rumen of cattle, controls expression of EHEC genes necessary for virulence and colonization of the bovine intestine.