# Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing as an intestinal symbiosis factor in a model arthropod host

> **NIH NIH R01** · BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL · 2022 · $683,510

## Abstract

Abstract/Project Summary
Vibrio cholerae is a human diarrheal pathogen and an environmental organism that persists in the arthropod
intestine. Our preliminary results suggest that the V. cholerae high cell density quorum sensing regulator
HapR orchestrates the metabolic transition of this microbe from intestinal pathogen to intestinal symbiont by
extending host life span, activating host innate immunity and epithelial repair mechanisms, and promoting host
metabolic homeostasis. Here we use the powerful genetics of the model arthropod Drosophila melanogaster
to understand the lines of communication between host and pathogen that underlie this transition.
We will identify bacterial metabolites that activate host innate immunity and trace the host pathways that are
co-opted by the bacterium for this purpose. We will determine whether the arthropod intestinal mucus or
peritrophic membrane supports growth of V. cholerae and whether digestion by HapR-activated degradative
enzymes activates peritrophic membrane synthesis. Finally, we will explore the role of V. cholerae-derived
tryptophan in promoting host metabolic homeostasis. These studies not only expand our appreciation of the
role of V. cholerae HapR in the host-pathogen interaction but also provide a new paradigm of quorum sensing
control of the host-microbe symbiosis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10412135
- **Project number:** 5R01AI162701-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** PAULA I WATNICK
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $683,510
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10412135

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10412135, Vibrio cholerae quorum sensing as an intestinal symbiosis factor in a model arthropod host (5R01AI162701-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10412135. Licensed CC0.

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