Profile

The laboratory primarily focuses on three major areas of research, aiming to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity by Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens. We employ a multidisciplinary approach combining classical and modern techniques that include genetics, various biochemical methods, electron microscopy, electron cryo-tomography, X-ray crystallography, biophysics, mass spectrometry, cell-based assays, and rodent models of infection.

1. Virulence Determinants of Fusobacterium nucleatum
The Gram-negative pathogen F. nucleatum is a key colonizer in the development of oral biofilms and well known for its association with human diseases including oral infections, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer. F. nucleatum has an inherent ability to interact with many early and late colonizers of the oral biofilms. It induces inflammatory responses and preterm birth in rodent models of infection, as well as promoting colorectal carcinogenesis in vivo. Despite its pathogenic potential, we have limited knowledge about the mechanisms of fusobacterial virulence and associated factors. A major obstacle limiting progress is the lack of robust genetic tools and systematic investigations. We have begun to tackle this problem with multiple complementary approaches including forward and reverse genetics, cryo-electron tomography, biochemical methods, and rodent models of infection. We are currently characterizing novel factors and pathways resulted from these experimental approaches that affect bacterial virulence and fitness, promotion of colorectal cancer, and induction of autophagy.

2. Molecular assembly on the cell surface of Gram-positive bacteria​
​Gram-positive pathogens assemble on their surface covalently linked protein polymers known as pili or fimbriae that enable these bacteria to adhere to specific host tissues and initiate a pathogenic program. A typical pilus contains a major pilin forming the shaft and one or more minor pilin subunits. The heteromeric pilus is assembled by tandem transpeptidase enzymes called sortases. A pilus-specific sortase catalyzes the extension of pilus heteropolymers. The product of this cyclic polymerization is handed directly to the housekeeping sortase SrtA, which completes the assembly process by anchoring the resulting pilus polymer to the bacterial peptidoglycan. Several aspects of this biphasic mode of pilus assembly are not well understood. The current interests of the lab are to (1) examine the mechanism of pilus hijacking and polymicrobial interactions mediated by the major co-aggregation factor CafA in A. oris, (2) elucidate the mechanism of SrtA modulation of CafA spatial positioning and CafA-mediated coaggregation, and (3) examine the glycosylation mechanism of the cell wall anchored GspA that contributes to biofilm formation and membrane integrity. Furthermore, the commonality of these aspects is also being examined in Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Enterococcus faecalis, and Group B Streptococcus.

3. Post-translocational protein folding in Gram-positive bacteria
​Many virulence determinants including pili and toxins are translocated across the cytoplasmic membrane by the Sec translocon in an unfolded state. How these proteins are maintained in a native state after translocation is not well understood in Gram-positive bacteria. We propose that the Gram-positive Actinobacteria employ a pair of membrane-bound oxidoreductase enzymes termed MdbA/MbdB as a general oxidative protein folding machine. The current focus of the lab is to elucidate this mechanism of oxidative protein folding in A. oris, to determine the conservation of this pathway in other Gram-positive bacteria, and to explore preventive strategies for dental caries and bacterial infections.