System analysis of bacterial signaling.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 103
Description: A system analysis of the Competence Stimulating Peptide (CSP) quorum-sensing pathway of Streptococcus mutans is presented. A stochastic model of the pathway was developed. This model successfully reproduces experimental mRNA profiles. The pathway was then decomposed into transmitting and receiving sections. Stochastic models of these sections were studied to estimate the statistical distributions of their outputs. The transmitting section was used to construct a transmitter cell using the multiple sugar metabolism promoter from S. mutans to drive the production of the CSP signaling molecules. This is the first reported inducible promoter used to regulate the expression of a cloned gene in S. mutans. Previously, the CSP receiving section was used to construct a receiver cell that responds to CSP by producing beta-galactosidase. Preliminary results showed a two-fold signal increase lasting for five minutes when the receiver was exposed to the supernatant containing CSP from the transmitter.
Notes: Adviser:  S. Davies.

Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 42-06, page: 2259.

MICR copy on microfiche (2 microfiches).