Structural Analysis of a Conserved Alphaproteobacterial Stress Response Pathway

描述(申请人提供)：细菌细胞利用双组分信号蛋白和替代西格玛(σ)因子来调节转录，以响应环境压力。这些环境应激调节蛋白被认为是许多细菌病原体的基本毒力因子。细菌应激反应在细菌生长、生物被膜形成、致病和共生等过程中起着重要作用。我所提出的对新月藻一般应激信号通路的结构研究，结合了双组分信号转导的特点和S的替代调控，将极大地加深我们对甲蛋白细菌胁迫适应的分子和结构基础的理解。克罗森实验室有一个成功的记录，利用来自广泛学科的技术来研究专注于分子微生物生理学的问题。他们广泛的跨学科方法承诺提供一个更完整的理解细菌细胞如何感知和适应其环境中的变化。我在克罗森实验室接受的博士后培训侧重于PHYR、σT和NEPR蛋白的分子生物物理学和结构生物学，这将有助于我成功地过渡到一个独立的教员职位，在那里我的研究将集中在微生物信号的分子方面。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Bacterial cells utilize both two-component signaling proteins and alternative sigma (σ) factors to modulate transcription in response to environmental stress. These environmental stress regulatory proteins are known to function as essential virulence factors in numerous bacterial pathogens. Bacterial stress responses play a fundamental role in bacterial growth, biofilm formation, pathogenesis and symbiosis. My proposed structural studies on the Caulobacter crescentus general stress signaling pathway, which integrates feature of two-component signaling and alternative s regulation, will significantly enhance our understanding of the molecular and structural basis of stress adaptation in the alphaproteobacteria. The Crosson lab has a successful track record utilizing techniques from a wide range of disciplines to pursue questions focused on molecular microbial physiology. Their broad interdisciplinary approaches promise to provide a more complete understanding of how bacterial cells can perceive and adapt to changes within their environment. My postdoctoral training in the Crosson Lab, focused on molecular biophysics and structural biology of the PhyR, σT and NepR proteins, will facilitate my successful transition into an independent faculty position, where my research will center on molecular aspects of microbial signaling.