Meghan Wynosky

 

Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program

BS – Biology Kutztown University

Email: meghan.ann.wynosky@drexel.edu

Advisor: Dr. Richard Rest

 

 

Thesis Research Summary

Bacillus anthracis (BA) is a Gram positive, rod shaped, aerobic spore-forming bacterium that causes an acute infection found mainly in wild and domesticated animals. Humans may become infected when in close contact with infected animals or through inhalation of spores. BA has three well studied virulence factors: lethal toxin, edema toxin, and a capsule composed of polyglutamic acid. We are focused on a newly discovered toxin, anthrolysin O (ALO). This toxin is a cholesterol-dependent cytolysin, which has been shown to have cytotoxic properties in human polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). We are working to further characterize this toxin. One point of focus is determining the effects of ALO on PMNs at sublethal concentrations, determining chemotactic and degranulation effects. In trying to define ALO expression,we have added a plasmid containing ALO to BA and observed a 1000-fold increase in ALO expression. It was observed that there is a gene upstream of ALO that may be a regulator of ALO expression. When this gene was deleted, ALO expression decreased by 100-fold. The gene was named Arp for its function in modulation ALO expression (ALO regulatory peptide). We are continuing to characterize ALO and the mechanism of Arp action in regulating the expression of ALO.