Characterization Of A Marr Homolog In Vibrio Vulnificus

A genomic locus of Vibrio vulnificus encodes a MarR family transcription regulator and an antibacterial efflux pump. The MarR homolog is predicted to autoregulate its own transcription and the expression of the antibacterial efflux pump, which would allow the bacterium to survive select antibiotic treatments. V. vulnificus 's MarR homolog shares key residues with members of UrtR, a MarR subfamily that responds to urate for the attenuation of DNA binding. Because the V. vulnificus MarR homolog conserves the amino acid residues known to coordinate urate and to cause derepression of UrtR controlled genes, DNA binding should be attenuated in the presence of urate. Using electromobility shift assays, we have demonstrated specific protein‐DNA binding, and we are currently testing urate along with other possible ligands for the attenuation of this interaction. Identifying the natural ligand of the V. vulnificus MarR homolog will provide a better understanding of MarR family dynamics and unearth a mechanism of antibiotic escape that could be an effective target for treatments.