Flagellin regulation by Vibrio fischeri during colonization and presistence

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的目的是研究细菌与真核宿主特异性相互作用的分子机制。利用夏威夷鱿鱼（Euprymna scoloes）与其细菌共生体费氏弧菌（Vibrio fischeri）之间的自然共生关系，本实验将探讨有益微生物在寄主定殖过程中细菌运动的作用。这种天然的宿主-细菌系统适用于现代遗传工具和共聚焦荧光显微镜的体内分析。本研究应用的具体目的是：1)在鱿鱼光器官初始定植过程中表征每种鞭毛蛋白的特征；2)确定控制费氏弧菌在大肠杆菌中长期存在的细菌决定因素，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，所提出的实验结果将揭示运动性与许多致病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.