Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2021
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Christopher L. Pritchett
Committee Members
Bert C. Lampson, Charlotte L. Powers
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that express a plethora of virulence components controlled through two-component regulatory systems that allow for sensing and responding to environmental stimuli. This study was aimed at identifying transcription regulators of algZ that encodes the histidine sensor kinase (AlgZ) of the AlgZR two-component regulatory system. To understand how the algZ gene is transcriptionally controlled, transposon mutagenesis was used to create a mutant library with varying algZ expression based on their b-Galactosidase activity. The gene PA3327 was identified as a potential regulator of algZ expression using arbitrary PCR. This gene encodes a probable non-ribosomal peptide synthetase responsible for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics. Further experiments are required to understand how PA3327 transcriptionally regulates algZ expression and its physiological role in the organism. Because the AlgZ/R system regulates virulence, it is possible to attenuate virulence by targeting the expression of algZ gene.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Yeboah, Kwasi, "Identification of Transcription Regulators of the AlgZ/R Two-Components Regulatory System in Pseudomonas aeruginosa" (2021). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3854. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3854
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.