R01AI162701

Vibrio cholerae Quorum Sensing as an Intestinal Symbiosis Factor in a Model Arthropod Host - Abstract/Project Summary

Vibrio cholerae is a human diarrheal pathogen and an environmental organism that persists in the arthropod intestine. Our preliminary results suggest that the V. cholerae high cell density quorum sensing regulator HapR orchestrates the metabolic transition of this microbe from intestinal pathogen to intestinal symbiont by extending host lifespan, activating host innate immunity and epithelial repair mechanisms, and promoting host metabolic homeostasis.

Here, we use the powerful genetics of the model arthropod Drosophila melanogaster to understand the lines of communication between host and pathogen that underlie this transition. We will identify bacterial metabolites that activate host innate immunity and trace the host pathways that are co-opted by the bacterium for this purpose.

We will determine whether the arthropod intestinal mucus or peritrophic membrane supports the growth of V. cholerae and whether digestion by HapR-activated degradative enzymes activates peritrophic membrane synthesis. Finally, we will explore the role of V. cholerae-derived tryptophan in promoting host metabolic homeostasis.

These studies not only expand our appreciation of the role of V. cholerae HapR in the host-pathogen interaction but also provide a new paradigm of quorum sensing control of the host-microbe symbiosis.

Children's Hospital Corporation

<P>THE GOALS ARE:</P><UL><LI>TO FOSTER FUNDAMENTAL CREATIVE DISCOVERIES, INNOVATIVE RESEARCH STRATEGIES, AND THEIR APPLICATIONS AS A BASIS FOR ULTIMATELY PROTECTING AND IMPROVING HEALTH;</LI><LI>TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, AND RENEW SCIENTIFIC HUMAN AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES THAT WILL ENSURE THE NATION'S CAPABILITY TO PREVENT DISEASE;</LI><LI>TO EXPAND THE KNOWLEDGE BASE IN MEDICAL AND ASSOCIATED SCIENCES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE NATION'S ECONOMIC WELL-BEING AND ENSURE A CONTINUED HIGH RETURN ON THE PUBLIC INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH; AND</LI><LI>TO EXEMPLIFY AND PROMOTE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY, PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CONDUCT OF SCIENCE.</LI></UL><P>IN REALIZING THESE GOALS, THE NIH PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION TO PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE NATION BY CONDUCTING AND SUPPORTING RESEARCH:</P><UL><LI>IN THE CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND CURE OF HUMAN DISEASES;</LI><LI>IN THE PROCESSES OF HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT;</LI><LI>IN THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS;</LI><LI>IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL, ADDICTIVE AND PHYSICAL DISORDERS; AND</LI><LI>IN DIRECTING PROGRAMS FOR THE COLLECTION, DISSEMINATION, AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION IN MEDICINE AND HEALTH, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT OF MEDICAL LIBRARIES AND THE TRAINING OF MEDICAL LIBRARIANS AND OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION SPECIALISTS.</LI></UL>

93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Boston, Massachusetts 021155724 United States

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NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PA-25-301)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 05/31/26 to 05/31/31 and the total obligations have increased 527% from $683,510 to $4,285,779.