Flagellin regulation by Vibrio fischeri during colonization and presistence

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究的目的是调查细菌与真核宿主特异性相互作用的分子机制。通过利用夏威夷鱿鱼Euprymna Scolope与其细菌共生体费氏弧菌之间的天然共生关系，拟议的实验将探索细菌运动在一种有益微生物侵占宿主期间的作用。这一自然宿主-细菌系统适用于现代遗传工具和共聚焦荧光显微镜的活体分析。这项研究的具体目的是：1)描述鱿鱼发光器最初定植过程中每种鞭毛蛋白的特征；2)确定控制裂殖吸虫在E.scolope中长期存活的细菌决定因素，包括那些与运动有关的决定因素。除了阐明细菌运动性在定植和持久性中的作用外，拟议的实验结果还将阐明细菌运动性与许多致病细菌中发现的毒力基因表达之间的联系。此外，深入了解真核宿主与其天然共生微生物之间的相互作用，将有助于我们了解微生物对我们自身健康的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of this research is to investigate the molecular mechanisms bacteria use to specifically interact with eukaryotic hosts. By taking advantage of the natural symbiosis between the Hawaiian squid Euprymna scolopes and its bacterial symbiont Vibrio fischeri, the proposed experiments will explore the role of bacterial motility during host colonization by a beneficial microbe. This natural host-bacteria system is amenable to modern genetic tools and in vivo analysis with confocal fluorescence microscopy. The specific aims of this research application are: 1) to characterize each type of flagellin during initial colonization of the squid light organ; and, 2) to identify the bacterial determinants, including those involved in motility, that govern the long-term persistence of V. fischeri in E. scolopes. In addition to elucidating the role of bacterial motility in colonization and persistence, the results of the proposed experiments will shed light on the link between motility and the expression of virulence genes found in many pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, insight into the interactions between eukaryotic hosts and their natural symbiotic microbes will help us understand the impact that microbes have on our own health.