Graduation Year
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.A.
Degree Granting Department
Biology
Major Professor
My Lien Dao, Ph.D.
Keywords
Collagen, U32 peptidase, Dental root decay, Preterm labor, Fetal membrane
Abstract
Analysis of the genomic sequences of Streptococcus mutans UA159 and Group B Streptococcus (GBS) strains Streptococcus agalactiae NEM316 and S. agalactiae 2603V/R indicated the presence of two putative collagenase genes in each organism. smcol1 from S. mutans was previously cloned and analyzed and the results indicated that the enzyme belonged to the U32 family of collagenases/peptidases. This enzyme shares homology with the prtC of Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the principal examples of the U32 family of peptidases. Considering the potential role of these enzymes in the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis (periodontitis or gum disease), GBS (premature rupture of the amniochorionic membrane) and S. mutans (dental root decay), it is necessary to study these enzymes and establish their role in the virulence of these organisms. Toward this goal the present study has focused on cloning collagenase 2 (smcol2) from S. mutans and cloning collagenase 1 (gbscol1), and collagenase 2 (gbscol2), from GBS. The information obtained will contribute to a further understanding of the U32 peptidase family.
Scholar Commons Citation
Carson, Valerie, "Cloning and analysis of putative collegenases of the U32 family in Stretococcus mutans and Stretococcus agalactiae (Group B Stretococcus)" (2006). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/2474
