ANDRES CAMPOS, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
RESEARCH SUMMARY:
The flagellar system has been extensively studied in enteric bacteria (Salmonella
typhimurium and Escherichia coli). However, some questions about the regulation of
the genomic expresion and the relation of this system with others into the cell, still
reminds unanswered. The flagellar regulon consists of 40 to 50 genes arranged in
different operons that are transcriptionally ordered in a hierarchy. The first level operon
of this hierarchy (master operon) is composed by flhD and flhC genes. Both FlhD and
FlhC, the protein products of the master operon, are required for the expression of all
other flagellar genes. A heterotetrameric complex formed by FlhD and FlhC acts as the
flagellar specific trascriptional activator of the flagellar genes of the second level. There
are lines of evidence that suggest that FlhD (but not FlhC) is involved in other systems:
A relation between the transcriptional regulation of the flagellar genes, the acid stress
response, and the cell division has been established. Given the fact that E. coli flhD
mutant cells display an unusual pattern in cell division, it has been suggested that FlhD
affects this process in this bacteria. Recently, the FlhD genetic target was identified as
cadA, but the mechanism by FlhD affects the expression of cadA is still unknown. We
are studying the role of FlhD in the expression of cadA. It is possible that flhD affect the
expresion of this gene by itself or as a complex with another factor that remains
unknow.
The study of the specificity binding of FlhD with the proteins which it interacts and how
the specificity binding of these complexes are altered are subjects of my work. We are
carrying out studies in order to discern the structure of FlhD as well the structure of the
different complexes formed by this protein: the heterotetramer formed by FlhD/FlhC; the
interaction of this complex with the DNA; and if it is the case, the complexes formed by
FlhD that intervene in the alteration of the expression of the cdaA.
Molecular biology, genetic, and biochemistry approaches will be done in to carry out
this line of research.
Curriculum Vita -- Select this option to see Dr. Campos' curriculum vita.
Publication list -- Select this option to see Dr. Campos' publication list.
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