PROMOTING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BETWEEN INDIA AND THE U.S.
Biochemistry, DNA and RNA, Molecular Biology
Indiana University
Two Projects:
Mechanisms of LuxR transcriptional regulation of quorum-sensing genes
V. harveyi LuxR is the founding member of the group of transcription factors that control quorum sensing in all vibrios. LuxR shares high amino acid identity with other LuxR proteins: 71% with HapR (Vibrio cholerae), 96% with OpaR (Vibrio parahaemolyticus), and 93% with SmcR (Vibrio vulnificus). LuxR is a unique member of the TetR family of transcription factors that both activates and represses a regulon of >600 genes through binding to a degenerate consensus DNA binding motif. There is currently a gap in existing knowledge of TetR regulatory mechanisms because LuxR is the only known TetR protein that activates transcription. We are using a combination of structural biology, biochemistry, genetics, and chemistry to determine how LuxR functions as an activator and a repressor of quorum-sensing genes.
Quorum-sensing regulation of group behaviors in vibrios
Among the >600 genes controlled by quorum sensing through LuxR are genes required for type III secretion, type VI secretion, motility, and osmotic stress regulation. We are interested in the patterns of gene expression that control these important physiological outputs. LuxR, AphA, and the Qrrs are the central regulators of these expression patterns, though other downstream transcription factors also play important roles. Using bacterial genetics, bioinformatics, and biochemistry, we are examining the hierarchy of gene regulation that contributes to expression of key developmental and physiological pathways in vibrios.