Mutation in AI-2 Quorum Sensing system and analyses of gene expression in an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strain

• Grant number: 12/04391-1
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Molecular Genetics and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Principal researcher: Wanderley Dias da Silveira
• Grantee: Livia Pilatti Mendes da Silva
• Home Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Escherichia coli strains that cause diseases outside the intestine are known as extra intestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) which includes human uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) and avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC). Our group has been working, for several years, in the study of APECs, in order to characterize these types of bacteria strains for their biological characteristics related to pathogenicity. Recently, it was demonstrated that different types of extracellular signs regulate gene expression in bacteria. When the sign is produced by the bacteria, the process is called quorum sensing (QS) (Anand e Griffiths, 2003). Pathogenic bacteria, through quorum sensing, can achieve high cell density and produce virulence factors enough to surpass the host defenses, before of the possible immunological system recognition (De Kievit et al., 2001). For all we know, there is no work being realized with APEC strains in Brazil and abroad, where the regulation function of the quorum sensing system, about the general mechanisms of gene expression, including those related to pathogenicity, is being studied. This context led to this proposal, that aims to study the effects of a gene of AI-2 quorum sensing system in the global gene expression, including those possibly related to pathogenicity of APEC, and the changes in biological properties presents in the strain.

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)

PILATTI, LIVIA; DE PAIVA, JACQUELINE BOLDRIN; GALVAO ROJAS, THAIS CABRERA; LEITE, JANAINA LUISA; CONCEICAO, ROGERIO ARCURI; NAKAZATO, GERSON; DA SILVEIRA, WANDERLEY DIAS. The virulence factor ychO has a pleiotropic action in an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) strain. BMC Microbiology, v. 16, MAR 10 2016. Web of Science Citations: 5.

VERMA, RENU; GALVAO ROJAS, THAS CABRERA; MALUTA, RENATO PARIZ; LEITE, JANANA LUISA; MENDES DA SILVA, LIVIA PILATTI; NAKAZATO, GERSON; DA SILVEIRA, WANDERLEY DIAS. Fimbria-Encoding Gene yadC Has a Pleiotropic Effect on Several Biological Characteristics and Plays a Role in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli Pathogenicity. Infection and Immunity, v. 84, n. 1, p. 187-193, JAN 2016. Web of Science Citations: 3.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Livia Pilatti Mendes da. Mutant construction for ychO, luxS and qseC genes present in an Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) : in vivo and in vitro analysis. 2014. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Instituto de Biologia.