Calcium deposition as a novel virulence factor in the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Calcium (Ca) deposition in soft tissues has been associated with several bacterial infections including cystic fibrosis (CF). In CF patients, the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the predominant cause of death. We identified three B-class CAs, psCA1, psCA2 and psCA3 in P. aeruginosa. Currently, we aim to determine the role of psCA2 and psCA3 in the virulence. We are also testing the effect of various CA inhibitors on the ability of P. aeruginosa to infect and kill Galleria. To study the regulation of psCA genes, we have cloned the promoter regions of the corresponding genes upstream of the lux operon. This will enable monitoring the transcriptional activation of the genes in response to various host factors, including elevated Ca. These results will provide insights into the role of CAs in P. aeruginosa virulence and assist the efforts of developing new treatments for infected patients.