Project description:Investigation of whole genome expression level changes in Bacillus anthracis Sterne deltaClpX mutant compared to the wild-type strain after growth in nutrient rich media. The deltaClpX mutant used in this study is described in McGillivray et al. 2009. ClpX Protease Contributes to Antimicrobial Peptide Resistance and Virulence Phenotypes of Bacillus anthracis. Journal of Innate Immunity 1(5): 494-506.
Project description:Bacillus anthracis Sterne 34F2 cells were grown in the absence of and in the presence of different concentrations of paraquat and hydrogen peroxide. Additionally, a deletion mutant strain lacking the sodA1 gene was also assayed with and without the addition of different concentrations of paraquat.
Project description:The spore forming pathogen Bacillus anthracis is the etiologic agent of anthrax in humans and animals. It cycles through infected hosts as vegetative cells and is eventually introduced into the environment where it generates an endospore resistant to many harsh conditions. The endospores are subsequently ingested by the next host to begin the next cycle. Outbreaks of anthrax occur regularly worldwide in wildlife and livestock, and the potential for human infection exists whenever humans encounter infected animals. It is also possible to encounter intentional releases of anthrax spores, as was the case in October 2001. Consequently, it is important to be able to rapidly establish the provenance of infectious strains of B. anthracis. Here, we compare protein expression in seven low-passage wild isolates and four laboratory strains of B. anthracis grown under identical conditions using LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis. Of the 1,023 total identified proteins, 96 had significant abundance differences between wild and laboratory strains. Of those, 28 proteins directly related to sporulation were upregulated in wild isolates, with expression driven by Spo0A, CodY, and AbrB/ScoC. In addition, we observed evidence of changes in cell division and fatty acid biosynthesis between the two classes of strains, despite being grown under identical experimental conditions. These results suggest wild B. anthracis cells are more highly tuned to sporulate than their laboratory cousins, and this difference should be exploited as a method to differentiate between laboratory adapted cultures and low passage wild strains isolated during an anthrax outbreak. This knowledge should distinguish between intentional releases and exposure to strains in nature providing a basis for the type of response by public health officials and investigators.
