Cell Envelope Stress Response And Antimicrobial Resistance In Bacillus Subtilis

Guariglia-Oropeza, Veronica

Cell Envelope Stress Response And Antimicrobial Resistance In Bacillus Subtilis

Abstract

The cell envelope of bacteria is of pivotal importance for growth and survival, and hence it is often the target of antimicrobial compounds. One of the main components involved in CESRs are extracytoplasmic function (ECF) [sigma] factors. The genome of B. subtilis encodes for seven ECF [sigma] factors, [sigma]M, [sigma]W, [sigma]X, [sigma]Y, [sigma]V, [sigma]Z and [sigma]YlaC. Several studies have been conducted to understand the role that these ECF [sigma] factors play in CESR in B. subtilis, one of the challenges found is that they display significant redundancy within their regulons. In this study, we have performed an in depth analysis of one of the ECF [sigma] factors of B. subtilis, [sigma]V, which had been previously uncharacterized. We have described the regulon of [sigma]V, the role that it plays in lysozyme resistance, and provided evidence for a novel promoter element important for [sigma]V recognition. Additionally, we have studied the role that [sigma]M plays in moenomycin resistance, and discovered a previously uncharacterized gene, ypmB, that seems to play an important role in cell envelope synthesis. Altogether, this dissertation takes further steps into understanding of the role that ECF [sigma] factors play in regulating the stress response triggered by cell envelope acting antimicrobials in B. subtilis.

Date Issued

2013-08-19

Committee Chair

Helmann, John D

Committee Member

Peters, Joseph E.
Stern, David

Degree Discipline

Microbiology

Degree Name

Ph. D., Microbiology

Degree Level

Doctor of Philosophy

Types

dissertation or thesis