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R/ODR-18
Intracellular Survival of Perkinsus Marinus: The Oxidative Stress Pathway As A Potential Target For Therapy
Principal Investigator:
Gerardo R. VastaStart/End Year:
2001 - 2004Institution:
Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology InstituteCo-Principal Investigator:
Eric J. Schott, Jose A. Fernandez-Robledo, Wolf T. Pecher, Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology InstituteTopic(s):
Description:
Using knowledge of the P. marinus-C. virginica interaction, we will discover strategies to disadvantage the parasite, whether by identification of parasite targets for drug therapy, or by augmentation of host defense responses. We will complete the characterization of APX, including subcellular localization, catalytic properties, and structure; study the effect of environmental and host factors on Fe-SOD and APX expression in P. marinus; examine if C. virginica possess Fe-SOD and APX activities, and if does, find differences between host and parasite in the localization or biochemical characteristics of these enzymes; and explore ways to stimulate ROI production by hemocytes.
Related Publications:
Joseph, SJ; Fernandez-Robledo, JA; Gardner, MJ; El-Sayed, NM; Kuo, CH; Schott, EJ; Wang, H; Kissinger, JC; Vasta, GR. 2010. The Alveolate Perkinsus marinus: biological insights from EST gene discovery. BMC Genomics11:1 -21. doi:10.1186/1471-2164-11-228. UM-SG-RS-2010-05.
Alavi, MR; Fernandez-Robledo, JA; Vasta, GR. 2009. Development of an in vitro assay to examine intracellular survival of perkinsus marinus trophozoites upon phagocytosis by oyster (crassostrea virginica and c. Journal of Parasitology95(4):900 -907. doi:10.1645/GE-1864.1. UM-SG-RS-2009-07.
Lin, Z; Fernandez-Robledo, JA; Cellier, MFM; Vasta, GR. 2009. Metals and membrane metal transporters in biological systems: the role(s) of Nramp in host-parasite interactions. The Journal of the Argentine Chemical Society97(1):210 -225. UM-SG-RS-2009-14.
Asojo, OA; Schott, EJ; Vasta, GR; Silva, AM. 2006. Structures of PmSOD1 and PmSOD2, two superoxide dismutases from the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus. Acta Crystallographica62:1072 -1075. doi:10.1107/S1744309106040425. UM-SG-RS-2006-04.
Elandalloussi, LM; Leite, RM; Afonso, R; Nunes, PA; Robledo, JAF; Vasta, GR; Cancela, ML. 2004. Development of a PCR-ELISA assay for diagnosis of Perkinsus marinus and Perkinsus atlanticus infections in bivalve molluscs. Molecular and Cellular Probes18(2):89 -96. doi:10.1016/j.mcp.2003.09.008. UM-SG-RS-2004-06.
Robledo, JAF; Courville, P; Cellier, MFM; Vasta, GR. 2004. Gene organization and expression of the divalent cation transporter Nramp in the protistan parasite Perkinus marinus. Journal of Parasitology90(5):1004 -1014. doi:10.1645/GE-240R. UM-SG-RS-2004-14.
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Featured Fellow
Leone Yisrael is a cephalopod-loving scuba diver, cook, and loves to try new activities. She conducts genetic analysis and fieldwork at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center through the Coastal Disease Ecology Lab.
Featured Research Project
Exploring the Use of Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells to Remove Sulfide While Harvesting Energy from Oyster Aquaculture Biodeposits
Oyster aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry in Maryland’s Chesapeake waters which stimulates economic activity and may provide a host of ecosystem benefits. A potential concern associated with the intensification of the oyster aquaculture is the local production and accumulation of oyster biodeposits, which can lead to a porewater sulfide accumulation and declining bioturbation, symptoms of declining ecosystem function. Sulfide is naturally removed from the seafloor by the interactions between bioturbating infauna and sulfide oxidizing bacteria.
Chesapeake Quarterly Magazine
A Growing Industry: Advancing Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland
