Characterization of the Sinorhizobum Meliloti Chotaxis System

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCastaneda Saldana, Rafaelen
dc.contributor.committeechairScharf, Birgit E.en
dc.contributor.committeememberTholl, Dorotheaen
dc.contributor.committeememberPopham, David L.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSchubot, Florian D.en
dc.contributor.departmentBiological Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2019-12-20T09:00:43Zen
dc.date.available2019-12-20T09:00:43Zen
dc.date.issued2019-12-19en
dc.description.abstractIncreasing awareness to global climate change has drastically focused attention on finding solutions to reduce environmental impacts while still providing sufficient food for the increasing world population. Beneficial Nitrogen Fixing (BNF) microbes provide a possible solution by delivering biological nitrogen to plants resulting in reduced environmental impacts due to fertilizer runoff and eutrophication. One well studied model is that of Sinorhizobium meliloti and its legume host Medicago sativa (alfalfa), the fourth largest USA crop used for animal feed. Advancing research for this symbiosis model can provide solutions to enhance yield while minimizing environmental impacts. Chapter 2 focuses on the deviation of the S. meliloti chemotaxis system from the enteric paradigm. Quantitative immunoblots determined the cellular amounts of chemotaxis proteins. Overall, chemotaxis protein levels were approximately 10-fold lower in S. meliloti compared to B. subtilis and E. coli. Focusing on cellular stoichiometric ratios, S. meliloti generally exhibits drastically higher values for CheB, CheR, and CheY to the histidine kinase CheA monomer compared to E. coli and B. subtilis. Chapter 3 characterizes the role of McpX to quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) sensing. QACs are exuded by germinating alfalfa seeds. In vitro binding assays were performed to determine ligand binding characteristics. S. meliloti chemotaxis behavior to QACs was analyzed in in vivo capillary assays under real-time imaging. These studies strengthen our knowledge of the chemotaxis system in the symbiosis model of S. meliloti and alfalfa. The data can further be used to create a mathematical model of the dynamics of bacteria-host interaction. The results can be used to optimize chemotaxis to host plants to improve crop yield and protect watersheds.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralIncreasing awareness of global climate change has drastically focused attention on finding solutions to reduce environmental impacts while still providing sufficient food for the increasing world population. Beneficial Nitrogen Fixing (BNF) microbes may offer a feasible solution in reducing environmental impacts by supplying biological nitrogen to plants, which reduces fertilizer use and ultimately runoff. One-well studied beneficial microbial model is that of Sinorhizobium meliloti and its legume host Medicago sativa (alfalfa), the fourth most cultivated USA crop used for animal feed. Advancing research for this symbiosis model can provide solutions to enhance crop yield while diminishing environmental impacts.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:14637en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/96148en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectImmunoblotsen
dc.subjectmotility proteinsen
dc.subjectnodulationen
dc.subjectquantificationen
dc.subjectstoichiometryen
dc.titleCharacterization of the Sinorhizobum Meliloti Chotaxis Systemen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Castaneda_Saldana_R_T_2019.pdf
Size:
3.23 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download

Collections

Masters Theses