# overview
Our current research activities focus on understanding the pathogenic mechanism of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus (Sgg). Sgg is a gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that causes life-threatening bacteremia and infective endocarditis (IE). It is also strongly associated with colorectal cancer (CRC). My lab was the first to demonstrate that Sgg actively promotes the development of colon tumors, elevating a long-stranding clinical association to a functional causal role of Sgg in tumor development. Despite its medical importance, the pathogenic mechanism of Sgg remains poorly understood. Our recent studies have demonstrated that a type VII secretion system of Sgg plays a key role in pathogenesis. Currently we are interested in understanding the mechanism underlying following key steps in Sgg pathogenesis: 1) colonization of the intestinal epithelium, 2) modulation of intestinal homeostasis in normal and tumor-bearing colons, and 3) dissemination from the gastrointestinal tract to the circulatory system.

Keywords: bacterial pathogenesis, infectious diseases, virulence, colorectal cancer, microbiome, microbiota, type VII secretion system, gastrointestinal tract

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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

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Variations among Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus strains in connection with colorectal cancer.

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Potential dissemination of Bacillus anthracis utilizing human lung epithelial cells

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Bacillus anthracis internalization by human fibroblasts and epithelial cells.

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Streptococcal Scl1 and Scl2 Proteins Form Collagen-like Triple Helices

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A "dock, lock, and latch" structural model for a staphylococcal adhesin binding to fibrinogen.

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Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Ace: a collagen-binding MSCRAMM from Enterococcus faecalis.

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In vivo demonstration and quantification of intracellular Bacillus anthracis in lung epithelial cells.

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Stimulated innate resistance of lung epithelium protects mice broadly against bacteria and fungi.

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Promotion of colorectal cancer by Streptococcus gallolyticus-a novel mechanism.

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Assessment of prokaryotic collagen-like sequences derived from streptococcal Scl1 and Scl2 proteins as a source of recombinant GXY polymers.

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Monoclonal Antibodies to CNA, a Collagen-binding Microbial Surface Component Recognizing Adhesive Matrix Molecules, DetachStaphylococcus aureus from a Collagen Substrate

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Inducible innate resistance of lung epithelium to infection.

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Decorin-binding Sites in the Adhesin DbpA from Borrelia burgdorferi A SYNTHETIC PEPTIDE APPROACH

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Streptococcus gallolyticus in colorectal cancer development

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American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

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A Streptococcal Collagen-like Protein Interacts with the α2β1 Integrin and Induces Intracellular Signaling

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Virulence potential of the staphylococcal adhesin CNA in experimental arthritis is determined by its affinity for collagen.

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Identification of binding sites in collagen for the Staphylococcus aureus collagen adhesin

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A BACTERIA-INFECTED COLORECTAL CANCER MOUSE MODEL FOR ACF AND TUMOR DEVELOPMENT

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Modulation of the extracellular matrix by Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus and importance in cell proliferation.

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Identification and Biochemical Characterization of Two Novel Collagen Binding MSCRAMMs of Bacillus anthracis

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A novel binding site in collagen type III for integrins alpha1beta1 and alpha2beta1.

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What Is the Relevance of Lung Epithelial Cells during the Dissemination of Spores in Inhalational Anthrax? Reply

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A 'Collagen Hug' model for Staphylococcus aureus CNA binding to collagen.

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Activation of the classical complement pathway by Bacillus anthracis is the primary mechanism for spore phagocytosis and involves the spore surface protein BclA.

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The American Association of Immunologists

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The involvement of a type VII secretion system in the interactions between Streptococcus gallolyticus subspecies gallolyticus and colorectal cancer.

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Analysis of a gene cluster of Enterococcus faecalis involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis.

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Multiple Binding Sites in Collagen Type I for the Integrins α1β1 and α2β1

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A type VII secretion system of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus contributes to gut colonization and the development of colon tumors.

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The Enterococcus faecalis MSCRAMM ACE Binds Its Ligand by the Collagen Hug Model

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Entry of Bacillus anthracis spores into epithelial cells is mediated by the spore surface protein BclA, integrin 21 and complement component C1q.

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A family of putative MSCRAMMs from Enterococcus faecalis.

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Bacillus anthracis Spore Surface Protein BclA Mediates Complement Factor H Binding to Spores and Promotes Spore Persistence.

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Bacillus anthracis spore entry into epithelial cells is an actin-dependent process requiring c-Src and PI3K.

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Pretreatment of epithelial cells with rifaximin alters bacterial attachment and internalization profiles.