BACTERIAL STUDIES

这个子项目是利用由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供的资源的许多研究子项目之一。子项目和调查员(PI)可能从另一个NIH来源获得了主要资金，因此可能会出现在其他CRISE条目中。列出的机构是针对中心的，而不一定是针对调查员的机构。枯草杆菌项目细菌肽聚糖细胞壁的聚合已被证明是抗生素的最佳靶点之一，因为它对细胞至关重要，基本上在所有细菌属中都高度保守，并且发生在细胞外，抗生素很容易获得。更好地了解肽聚糖聚合的细节将有助于开发新的抗生素。在美国国立卫生研究院的资助下，我们研究了枯草杆菌合成肽聚糖的许多方面。这包括：1)16种不同的青霉素结合蛋白(PBPs)在组合营养细胞壁和具有适当形状、大小和结构的孢子细胞壁中所起的作用；2)主要PBPs之间的蛋白质相互作用；3)孢子肽聚糖合成时间的调节；4)孢子肽聚糖结构与孢子抗性特性的关系。炭疽芽孢杆菌投射出导致炭疽病的孢子，可以处于休眠状态，非常稳定的状态很多年。此外，这些孢子对大多数常用的消毒处理都有很强的抵抗力。一旦孢子进入宿主体内，它们必须萌发并返回生长状态才能致病。这种萌发也使孢子对消毒剂敏感。在美国国立卫生研究院的资助下，我们正在确定炭疽孢子肽聚糖壁降解所需的酶活性，这是孢子萌发的关键步骤。通过了解参与发芽的蛋白质和触发这一过程的机制，我们可能能够设计出防止或刺激发芽的方法。这可以带来更好的感染控制和污染场地清理方法。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Bacillus subtilis Projects Polymerization of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall has proven to be one of the best targets for antibiotics because it is essential for the cells, is highly conserved across essentially all bacterial genera, and takes place outside of the cell, where the antibiotics have easy access. A greater understanding of the details of peptidoglycan polymerization will contribute to the development of new antibiotics. With funding from a grant from the NIH, we study many aspects of peptidoglycan synthesis in B. subtilis. These include: 1) The roles played by the 16 different penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) in putting together vegetative cell walls and spore cell walls of the proper shape, size and structure; 2) The protein-protein interactions made by the major PBPs; 3) Regulation of the timing of spore peptidoglycan synthesis; and 4) The relationship of spore peptidoglycan structure and spore resistance properties. Bacillus anthracis Projects The spores that cause Anthrax can lie in a dormant, extremely stable state for many years. In addition, these spores are highly resistant to most treatments commonly used for disinfection. Once the spores enter a host body, they must germinate and return to a growing state in order to cause disease. This germination also renders the spores sensitive to disinfection agents. With funding from a grant from the NIH, we are determining the enzymatic activities required for degradation of the B. anthracis spore peptidoglycan wall, an essential step in spore germination. With an understanding of the proteins involved in germination and the mechanism that triggers this process, we may be able to design ways to either prevent or stimulate germination. This can lead to better methods of infection control and cleanup of contaminated sites.