Temperature Sensing Mechanism in Mycobacteria
Temperature Sensing Mechanism in Mycobacteria
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mycobacterium), the etiologic agent of tuberculosis, kills two million people every year. Not only that, the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant strains of Mycobacterium impart constant challenges in drug targeting therapies. Mycobacterium posses exceptional adaptability to the host body temperature and by understanding how it maintains pathogenicity while adapting to the changing temperature could provide important clues for developing new drug targets. Consequently, understanding how Mycobacterium adapts to the intracellular temperature fluctuations is very crucial. To this end, we are trying to understand whether mycobacterium can sense small changes in temperature and what are the molecular mechanisms of temperature perception in mycobacteria. Our preliminary data shows that mycobacterium can sense even 1-2˚C temperature differences. Additionally, our data shows that mycobacterium responds to temperature shifts by regulating its developmental responses. We are trying to identify the molecular players involved in this temperature sensing and developmental changes. Moreover, our in silico data reveals the presence of unique mycobacterial RNA thermometers, which are known to play a crucial role in temperature sensing and regulation of bacterial pathogenesis. In vivo characterization of these temperature sensors is underway.
Rachel Topno (2), Manoj Kumar (2), Kajal Kanchan (1)
1. Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell research, AUUP, Noida, India
2. Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, AUUP, Noida, India
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mycobacterium), the etiologic agent of tuberculosis, kills two million people every year. Not only that, the increasing prevalence of multidrug resistant strains of Mycobacterium impart constant challenges in drug targeting therapies. Mycobacterium posses exceptional adaptability to the host body temperature and by understanding how it maintains pathogenicity while adapting to the changing temperature could provide important clues for developing new drug targets. Consequently, understanding how Mycobacterium adapts to the intracellular temperature fluctuations is very crucial. To this end, we are trying to understand whether mycobacterium can sense small changes in temperature and what are the molecular mechanisms of temperature perception in mycobacteria. Our preliminary data shows that mycobacterium can sense even 1-2˚C temperature differences. Additionally, our data shows that mycobacterium responds to temperature shifts by regulating its developmental responses. We are trying to identify the molecular players involved in this temperature sensing and developmental changes. Moreover, our in silico data reveals the presence of unique mycobacterial RNA thermometers, which are known to play a crucial role in temperature sensing and regulation of bacterial pathogenesis. In vivo characterization of these temperature sensors is underway.
Rachel Topno (2), Manoj Kumar (2), Kajal Kanchan (1)
1. Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell research, AUUP, Noida, India
2. Amity Food and Agriculture Foundation, AUUP, Noida, India
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Speaker
Kajal Kanchan, PhD
Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida India
