2019 Microbial Adhesion and Signal Transduction Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar
Abstract
Major Goals: The ability of bacteria to attach to and live in close association with surfaces is a critical feature for persistence in particular environments and certain niches within the mammalian host. Specific adhesins or adhesive structures act as specific surface recognition molecules and serve as anchors to overcome surrounding shear forces (e.g. intestinal peristalsis, urine flow). They further define tropism to particular environments and host tissues and are a prerequisite to invasion into epithelial layers and deeper tissues to cause disease. Adherence to surfaces and aggregation allows formation of biofilms that provide protection from chemical, physical and cellular assault. Moreover, adhesin-promoted tight binding to epithelia is important to outcompete microbiota. These characteristics mark them as key microbial virulence factors. The critical role of adhesins for the first step of infection or colonization and accessibility on the bacterial surface makes them a frequent target for antibacterial strategies and potential vaccine candidates. Adhesion also promotes effective communication between individual bacterial cells allowing for community behaviors, and promotes host cell contact-dependent transmission of signals/molecules between the bacteria and its host. This interaction can be mediated by the secretion of small signaling molecules or exotoxins, or by secretion system-mediated injection of effector proteins. Consequently, the topic of signal transduction is intimately linked to adherence and a crucial, tightly regulated process as persistent adherence in an unfavorable environment will be deadly. Thus, bacteria must perceive and transduce signals from their environment to properly regulate adhesion. Adhesion itself also provides a signal about the environment including the presence of neighboring bacteria. The interconnectedness of these topics necessitates their coordinated study to achieve a holistic understanding of bacterial behavior.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 29, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1113510
Entities
People
- Renee Tsolis
Organizations
- Gordon Research Conferences