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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2021
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Department
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
First Advisor
Jeffrey H. Withey
Abstract
V. cholerae is a gram-negative bacterium that is the causative agent of the intestinal disease Cholera, which is characterized by voluminous, watery diarrhea. Upon entry into their human host via consumption of contaminated food/water, the bacteria colonize the upper small intestine of the host, which leads to severe diarrhea, dehydration and loss of electrolytes and can result in death if the condition is not treated. The transcription regulation of the two major virulence factors, the Toxin Coregulated Pilus and the Cholera Toxin, and other accessory factors is under the control of a master virulence regulator protein called ToxT. It controls virulence gene expression by binding to degenerate 13-bp sequences in the virulence promoters called toxboxes and presumably interacts directly with RNA Polymerase. Furthermore, ToxT has been shown to alter its activity in response to both negative and positive effectors. Understanding the exact mechanisms by which it responds to host signals and controls gene expression can help to identify better therapeutic targets for treating cholera.
Recommended Citation
Bhaya, Bhavita, "Mechanistic Determination Of V. Cholerae Toxt Response To Its Positive Effector, The Bicarbonate Ion, To Control Expression Of Virulence Factors" (2021). Wayne State University Theses. 842.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/842