Analysis of Newly Identified Adhesion Used by Pathogenic Gram-Negative Bacteria

The aim of this proposal is to characterize a newly multivalent adhesion molecule (MAM7) found in the majority of Gram-negative pathogenic animal bacteria. We propose that MAM7 is involved in the initial contact of bacterial pathogens with host cells. As a representative for this type of molecule, we will use the MAM7 protein from Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an emerging pathogen that causes gastroenteritis through consumption of raw or undercooked seafood, to study the multivalent binding to host cells. We observe MAM7 dependent changes in the actin cytoskeleton in host cells. We predict that binding of MAM7 will trigger the production of more adhesion factors in the bacterial pathogens. <P>Thus as one of our aims, we would like to uncover the signaling machinery activated in the bacteria and the host cell upon binding of MAM7. In another aim, we would like to understand the biochemical interaction of MAM7 with its two host cell receptors, fibronectin and phosphatidic acid. This information will be extremely valuable for future studies focused on MAM7 inhibitors.<P> Finally, we observe that binding of non-pathogenic bacteria expressing MAM7 (BL21-MAM7) to host cells ameliorates cytotoxicity of Gram-negative pathogens expressing MAM7. We are interested in determining how broadly MAM7 provides a competitive advantage over other types of bacterial pathogens that do not express MAM7 but other types of adhesins. Together, these experiments will allow us to characterize the newly identified multivalent adhesion molecule MAM7 and will help to elucidate its value as a competitive inhibitor for a wide variety of bacterial pathogens.