Molecular Analysis of Brucella Host Factors

许多细菌具有入侵、复制和在宿主细胞内存活的非凡能力。然而，对介导这些过程的分子机制的理解仍然难以捉摸。本研究的长期目标是阐明细胞内细菌病原体布鲁氏菌与宿主细胞相互作用的方式。这项工作的具体研究目标是确定肌醇要求酶-1 （Ire1）的分子机制，肌醇要求酶-1是细胞对应激反应的重要调节因子，支持B. melitensis在宿主细胞中的运动和复制。此外，本研究将研究是否有其他候选基因参与这一过程。综上所述，本研究将深入了解细胞内细菌病原体入侵、复制和在宿主体内持续存在的分子机制，从而具有广泛的科学影响。重要的教育目标将与这些研究目标同时进行。这些目标包括在德克萨斯州、格兰德河谷和美墨边境地区的西班牙裔服务机构扩大研究生招聘活动。这项加强的招生工作将有助于吸引来自不同背景的学生进入德克萨斯农工大学的生命科学和农业研究生课程。此外，本研究将为高动机的本科生提供研究机会。在美国，大河谷和美墨边境地区是人类布鲁氏菌病（由布鲁氏菌感染引起的疾病）发病率最高的地区。因此，对来自这些地区的学生进行培训的承诺将创造独特的机会，将阐明布鲁氏菌发病机制的具体研究活动与受影响社区的关切结合起来。

Many bacteria possess the extraordinary ability to invade, replicate, and persist within host cells. However, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating these processes has remained elusive. The long-term objective of this research is to illuminate the way in which the intracellular bacterial pathogen Brucella melitensis interacts with host cells. The specific research objectives of this effort are to define the molecular mechanisms by which inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (Ire1), an important regulator of the cell's response to stress, supports B. melitensis movement and replication in host cells. In addition, this research will examine whether additional candidate genes participate in this process. Taken together, this research will provide insight into the molecular mechanisms by which intracellular bacterial pathogens invade, replicate, and persist in the host, and thereby, have a broad scientific impact.Important educational objectives will be pursued in parallel with these research aims. These objectives include expanding graduate student recruiting activities at Hispanic Serving Institutions in the Texas Rio Grande Valley and U.S.-Mexico border regions. This enhanced recruiting effort will help attract students from diverse backgrounds into life science and agriculture graduate programs at Texas A&M University. In addition, this research will provide research opportunities for highly motivated undergraduates. The Rio Grande Valley and U.S.-Mexico border regions experience the highest incidences of human brucellosis (the disease caused by Brucella infection) in the nation. Therefore, the commitment to train students from these regions will create unique opportunities for integrating the specific research activities in elucidating Brucella pathogenesis with the concerns of affected communities.