The Function of Cyclo(Phe-Pro) in Gene Expression of Vibrio Harveyi

Authors

Bruce Milburn, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Biology

First Advisor's Name

John Makemson

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Miroslav Gantar

Third Advisor's Name

DeEtta Kay Mills

Keywords

qourum sensing, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio, cFP, cyclo(Phe-Pro), bioluminescence, signaling, cyclic dipeptides, autoinduction, bacteria

Date of Defense

7-13-2012

Abstract

Vibrio harveyi is a bioluminescent bacterium and the organism in which quorum sensing was discovered. It was recently found that a class of molecules, cyclic dipeptides, may be a new kind of quorum sensing signal that may affect other species in the genus. The purpose of this study was to determine if V. harveyi produced one of these molecules, cyclo(Phe-Pro) or cFP, and the effects it has on bioluminescence, growth and gene expression. Electrospray Mass Spectrometry was used to detect cFP, and it was found. While growth and gene expression were not significantly affected by cFP, bioluminescence was slightly induced at low concentrations. It appears that V. harveyi does not produce cFP and it does not significantly affect the luminescence quorum sensing controlled genes, and is most likely not a true signal, in V. harveyi.

Identifier

FI12080618

Recommended Citation

Milburn, Bruce, "The Function of Cyclo(Phe-Pro) in Gene Expression of Vibrio Harveyi" (2012). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 695.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/695