The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Genome

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For the entire article, go to

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444692

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa Genome: How Do We Use It to Develop

Strategies for the Treatment of Patients With Cystic Fibrosis and

Pseudomonas Infections?

A. L. Erwin, PhD, D. R. VanDevanter, PhD

Curr Opin Pulm Med 8(6):547-551, 2002. © 2002 Lippincott &

Wilkins

Posted 12/17/2002

Abstract and Introduction

Abstract

In the 2 years since the complete sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

strain PAO1 was published, at least 200 papers have been published

describing research that made use of the PAO1 genome sequence. Some of

this research included genome-wide studies of gene expression or the

effect of mutation on bacterial functions such as biofilm formation;

this type of global analysis would not have been possible without the

availability of the sequence. As a result of these and other, more

traditional, research studies, there is a wealth of new knowledge about

the physiology of this pathogen. This raises the possibility of new

strategies for the treatment of patients with P. aeruginosa infection,

either by novel antibiotics or by drugs targeting bacterial functions

essential for survival and virulence in the human host.

Introduction

The sequencing and gene annotation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa[1, 2]

represents a significant advance in our ability to study this

opportunistic pathogen. How does one apply the new genomic information

to the discovery and development of new treatment strategies for human

diseases caused by this organism? The propensity of P. aeruginosa (PA)

to establish chronic pulmonary infections in patients with cystic

fibrosis (CF) is of particular interest. Approximately 70% of patients

with CF in the US are chronically infected with PA, often with multiple

strains, and it is generally accepted that chronic bacterial lung

infections accelerate the deterioration of lung function that ultimately

accounts for approximately 85% of all CF-related deaths.

Becki

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