Investigating the role of Leucine-Responsive Regulatory Protein (Lrp) in the production and regulation of specific virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

<p><em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> infections make up 10% of nosocomial infections, and these infections are increasing in antibiotic resistance. Virulence factors such as pyocyanin and siderophores contribute to this resistance as they help with virulence and nutrient acquisition. Previously, Lrp has been shown to bind to PQS in <em>P. aeruginosa</em>, a key player in quorum sensing, and when <em>lrp</em> is knocked out, there is a reduction in these quorum sensing virulence factors. Leucine-responsive regulatory protein (Lrp) is a known global regulator in <em>E. coli</em> and if proven to be a global regulator in <em>P. aeruginosa</em>, it could be a potential new target in <em>P. aeruginosa</em> infections. The virulence factors pyocyanin, pyoverdine, and pyochelin, which are important in infection, are investigated in this study, where we determine the role of Lrp in their regulation and production. The results of this study suggest that Lrp plays an indirect role in regulating these factors through quorum sensing, potentially PQS specifically. RNAseq suggests Lrp also plays a role in regulating other important systems such as swarming motility and biofilm formation. In nutrient limited environments, Lrp may regulate an estimated 4-14% of the genome. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2023

Author dc:creator

• Fick, Kendra

Contributors dc:contributor

• Thomas McElroy
• Tsai-Tien Tseng

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• leucine-responsive regulatory protein
• gene regulation
• virulence factors
• Biology
• Integrative Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/integrbiol_etd/100

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu:integrbiol_etd-1102