The link between sterol degradation and virulence Insight into the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rhodococcus equi

Bekker, S F (2014) The link between sterol degradation and virulence Insight into the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Rhodococcus equi. Bachelor's Thesis, Biology.

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Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is still a great cause of death in third world countries and for people with a attenuated immune system. Rhodococcus equi is also a great cause of disease and death, however these occur mostly in foals. Both bacteria can cause pneumonia and granuloma formation. Because of their similarities a lot of research about sterol degradation is done in both organisms. It is thought that the ability of both bacteria to degrade sterols is related to its pathogenicity. A few of the enzymes involved in the cholesterol degradation in Mtb and R. equi are discussed. A closer look is taken at the relevance of these enzymes in the pathogenicity of Mtb and R. equi. It is found that many enzymes indeed play crucial roles in the cholesterol degradation. Mutants of kstD, kshA/kshB and hsaC were not able to utilize cholesterol. Also, FadA5 is essential for the growth of Mtb on cholesterol. An acyl‐CoA synthase (FadD3) occurs in the reaction were HIP is transformed to HIP‐CoA, it initiates the catabolism of the steroid rings C and D in actinobacteria. The role of ChoD isn’t clear yet. ChoD seemed to play a role in the first step of sterol degradation. Yet, the choD mutant of Mtb was able to grow on cholesterol. The differences in the results of the studies might be due to different use of methods in the experiments (different strains and a different experiment time). The exact process of cholesterol degradation still isn’t clear yet although there is a very likely reaction pathway of the cholesterol catabolism. It is of great importance that more insight is obtained about cholesterol metabolism. Many people would benefit from new insights into this process.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Degree programme:	Biology
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2018 07:56
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2018 07:56
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/11628

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