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Research Focus

Regulation of bacterial signal transduction
in development and pathogenesis

Work in our laboratory focuses on the understanding of the mechanisms controlling signal transduction systems involved in bacterial development. We have identified two families of proteins that modulate the output of two-component systems in Bacillus subtilis. Genetic, molecular biological, biochemical and structural approaches are used to understand the mechanism of action of these regulators, their targets and the physiological events that activate them.

We are also interested in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis controlled by two-component signal transduction systems. The availability of the Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus anthracis genome sequences allowed us to identify the key components of the bacterial regulatory mechanisms carried out by two-component signal transduction. Our studies aim at defining the signaling and regulatory network responsible for pathogenicity in these organisms.

Education

Ph.D., University of Pavia, 1982

Awards & Professional Activities

Member, American Society of Microbiology; Editorial Board, Journal of Bacteriology

Selected References

Perego, M. and Hoch, J.A. Commingling regulatory systems following acquisition of virulence plasmids by Bacillus anthracis. Trends Microbiol. 16(5):215-21. 2008

Del Papa, M.F., Hancock, L., Thomas, V. and Perego, M. Full activation of Enterococcus faecalis gelatinase by a C-terminal proteolytic cleavage. J. Bacteriol. 189(24):8835-43. 2007

Tsvetanova, B., Wilson, A.C., Bongiorni, C., Chiang, C., Hoch, J.A. and Perego, M. Opposing effects of histidine phosphorylation regulate the AtxA virulence transcription factor in Bacillus anthracis. Mol. Microbiol. 63(3):644–655. 2007

Hancock, L. and M. Perego. Two-component signal transduction in Enterococcus faecalis. J. Bacteriol. 184(21):5819-5825. 2002