Compositions and methods for regulating bacterial pathogenesis
AssigneeUniversity Technologies International Inc.
InventorsBonnie L. Bassler, Michael G. Surette
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Abstract
The production of a purified extracellular bacterial signal called autoinducer-2 is regulated by changes in environmental conditions associated with a shift from a free-living existence to a colonizing or pathogenic existence in a host organism. Autoinducer-2 stimulates LuxQ luminescence genes, and is believed also to stimulate a variety of pathogenesis related genes in the bacterial species that produce it. A new class of bacterial genes is involved in the biosynthesis of autoinducer-2.
Claims29
An isolated bacterial strain comprising a luxS gene;
- a first genetic alteration in the luxS gene that inhibits production of the autoinducer-2 produced by Vibrio harveyi;
- and a second genetic alteration that inhibits detection of an acyl-homoserine lactone autoinducer.
A method for creating a modified bacterial strain, comprising:
- obtaining bacteria that comprise a luxS gene which encodes a protein involved in production of an autoinducer;
- and altering the luxS gene to modify the extent of production of the autoinducer.
An isolated gram-positive bacterial strain comprising a luxS gene and a genetic alteration in the luxS gene that inhibits production of the autoinducer-2 produced by Vibrio harveyi.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.