Proteus mirabilis

Current Research

“Proteus Mirabilis will give up its genetic secrets at ASM meeting”

Scientists have conducted studies and now have specific information to use in the fight against Proteus mirabilis. Data from the first complete genome sequence for P. mirabilis, which includes at least 3,693 genes and 4.063 megabases of DNA, will be presented at the 106th general meeting of the American Society of Microbiology taking place in Orlando from May 21-25. Melanie M. Pearson, Ph.D., a research fellow in microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School, is the first scientist to perform an in-depth analysis of the genome sequence. Her research will allow other scientists to determine the virulence factors produced by the organism and learn how it causes disease. Pearson says. "Part of our goal is finding potential targets for new vaccines that could protect people from infection." In cases where stones form, the bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics," says Harry L.T. Mobley, Ph.D., professor and chair of microbiology and immunology in the U-M Medical School. Mobley is an expert on urease. Pearson's study explains why the bacteria has the ability to stick to some surfaces such as those of kidney or bladder stones. "This bacterium has an unusually high number of genes that encode for 15 different adherence factors or fimbriae on its surface," Pearson explains. "All these different fimbriae help the bacterium stick to bladder cells, catheters, kidney stones or each other.

Pearson also discovered that Proteus Mirabilis' genome is made up of 24 genes that encode components of a system used to inject bacterial proteins into host cells. In future research, Pearson will use gene micro arrays to identify the Proteus mirabilis genes that are turned on, or expressed, during the infection stage. Genes involved in the infection process will be prime targets for future vaccine development, according to Pearson, although she says that years of additional research will be needed before vaccines could be commercially available.