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Function and regulation of virulence-related genes of the proteobacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Grant number: 09/09211-9
Support Opportunities:Regular Research Grants
Duration: September 01, 2009 - February 29, 2012
Field of knowledge:Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
Principal Investigator:Regina Lúcia Baldini
Grantee:Regina Lúcia Baldini
Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gamma-proteobacterium often found in soil and water that behaves as an opportunistic pathogen. In humans, it is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections and colonizes burns, surgical wounds and the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. In those patients, P. aeruginosa causes a severe inflammatory reaction that often leads to lung failure and death. P. aeruginosa pathogenicity has been extensively studied regarding the factors directly responsible for virulence, such as toxins, extracellular enzymes and secretion systems, as well as its high intrinsic resistance to antibiotics. It is a model organism for research on phenomena such as cell-cell communication, biofilm formation, gene expression, metabolism and also for studies on bacterial diversity and genetic variability. The main goal of this project is to characterize genes related to P. aeruginosa pathogenicity, regarding their expression and the function of their products, both in traits unique to PA14 as in aspects conserved in a broad range of pathogenic bacteria. The specific aims include functional studies of the putative methyltransferase KerV and its connection to quorum sensing and secretion of virulence factors; the screening for protein-protein interactions between products of genes conserved in genomic islands; the detailing of the studies on regulation of expression of genes present in PA14 pathogenicity island, as well as the search for targets of the c-di-GMP phosphodiesterase PvrR. For the achievement of these aims, we will use genetic, biochemical and molecular biology approaches. This work is already in progress, as a development of a Jovem Pesquisador grant that will end in July, 2009. (AU)

Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant:
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Scientific publications
(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)
NICASTRO, GIANLUCCA G.; KAIHAMI, GILBERTO H.; PEREIRA, THAYS O.; MEIRELES, DIOGO A.; GROLEAU, MARIE-CHRISTINE; DEZIEL, ERIC; BALDINI, REGINA L.. Cyclic-di-GMP levels affect Pseudomonas aeruginosa fitness in the presence of imipenem. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, v. 16, n. 5, p. 1321-1333, . (11/08841-9, 09/09211-9, 09/08198-9, 07/03121-2)
KAIHAMI, GILBERTO HIDEO; FOGACA DE ALMEIDA, JOSE ROBERTO; DOS SANTOS, SUELEN SILVANA; SOARES NETTO, LUIS EDUARDO; DE ALMEIDA, SANDRA ROGERIO; BALDINI, REGINA LUCIA. Involvement of a 1-Cys Peroxiredoxin in Bacterial Virulence. PLOS PATHOGENS, v. 10, n. 10, . (09/09211-9)

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