Design and Synthesis of Small Regulatory RNA Transcripts for the Streptolysin S Associated Gene of Group A Streptococcus
Presentation Type
Event
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Brian Lee
Other Mentors
Additional Mentor: Gabriela Perez Alvarado, Chemistry
Major
Biochemistry
Minor
Psychology
Presentation Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen that releases the cytotoxin, streptolysin S (SLS), which allows the bacteria to destroy soft tissues as part of necrotizing fasciitis. A nine-gene SLS-associated (sag) operon includes the protoxin gene (sagA) and other factors necessary for secretion of SLS, which tricks neurons into suppressing the immune response to GAS. The sagA RNA transcript, also known as Pel, regulates other virulence factors. We have designed DNA templates of various sagA/Pel constructs for in vitro transcription. The RNA transcript secondary structures were assayed by RNase T1 digestion and thermal melting studies to detect folding. The long-term goal of the project is to characterize the structural basis for the regulatory role of Pel/SagA, which is thought to depend on interactions with the CvfA protein and FasX, another small regulatory RNA. These results may guide the design of therapeutics that target the pathogen's ability to produce SLS.
Course
Chemistry 499
External Presentation
1
Location
Lib Jackson Student Union, Atrium
Start Date
16-4-2019 12:30 PM
End Date
16-4-2019 2:30 PM
Disciplines
Biochemistry
Recommended Citation
Carroll, Cameron, "Design and Synthesis of Small Regulatory RNA Transcripts for the Streptolysin S Associated Gene of Group A Streptococcus" (2019). Undergraduate Research Competition. 8.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2019/poster/8
Design and Synthesis of Small Regulatory RNA Transcripts for the Streptolysin S Associated Gene of Group A Streptococcus
Lib Jackson Student Union, Atrium
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human pathogen that releases the cytotoxin, streptolysin S (SLS), which allows the bacteria to destroy soft tissues as part of necrotizing fasciitis. A nine-gene SLS-associated (sag) operon includes the protoxin gene (sagA) and other factors necessary for secretion of SLS, which tricks neurons into suppressing the immune response to GAS. The sagA RNA transcript, also known as Pel, regulates other virulence factors. We have designed DNA templates of various sagA/Pel constructs for in vitro transcription. The RNA transcript secondary structures were assayed by RNase T1 digestion and thermal melting studies to detect folding. The long-term goal of the project is to characterize the structural basis for the regulatory role of Pel/SagA, which is thought to depend on interactions with the CvfA protein and FasX, another small regulatory RNA. These results may guide the design of therapeutics that target the pathogen's ability to produce SLS.