Tuesday, 4/5/2022
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University
Shawnee State University
Major
Biomedical Science
Presentation Types
Oral Group Presentation
Keywords:
Myxococcus xanthus, predation, antimicrobial proteins, gel electrophoresis
Abstract
Myxcococcus xanthus is a bacterium that preys on other bacteria when placed in nutrient deprived environments. After the colony comes into contact with prey cells, M. xanthus secretes cytotoxic substances that allow it to consume the biomass of its prey. While the entire genome of M. xanthus has been sequenced, very little is known about the bacterium and its digestive secretions, therefore the aim of this research is to discover antibacterial proteins. M. xanthus is placed on nutrient deprived media along with prey cells (E. coli), while a control sample of M. xanthus is grown on a plate with no prey cells. Samples will be harvested from the predatory and control colonies, and the whole cell protein profiles are prepared by SDS-PAGE. Any variability observed would indicate differential protein expression. Proteins that are expressed in response to prey cells will be isolated and characterized.
Human Subjects
no
Faculty Mentor Name
Eugene Burns
Faculty Mentor Title
Doctor
Faculty Mentor Academic Department
Natural Sciences
Recommended Citation
Luthy, Laura; Bauer, Kolton; and Thacker, Hannah, "Antibacterial Protein Expression in Myxococcus xanthus" (2022). Celebration of Scholarship. 8.
https://digitalcommons.shawnee.edu/cos/2022/day2/8
Antibacterial Protein Expression in Myxococcus xanthus
Myxcococcus xanthus is a bacterium that preys on other bacteria when placed in nutrient deprived environments. After the colony comes into contact with prey cells, M. xanthus secretes cytotoxic substances that allow it to consume the biomass of its prey. While the entire genome of M. xanthus has been sequenced, very little is known about the bacterium and its digestive secretions, therefore the aim of this research is to discover antibacterial proteins. M. xanthus is placed on nutrient deprived media along with prey cells (E. coli), while a control sample of M. xanthus is grown on a plate with no prey cells. Samples will be harvested from the predatory and control colonies, and the whole cell protein profiles are prepared by SDS-PAGE. Any variability observed would indicate differential protein expression. Proteins that are expressed in response to prey cells will be isolated and characterized.