1. Cloning and characterization of a putative extracellular protein from community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
The aim of this study is to identify potential proteins that may be involved in the infection pathway of CA-MRSA. This study focuses on two unique genes, SAS1738 and SAS0371, found on the chromosome of CA-MRSA stains. They both encode putative export proteins and are associated with the production of beta-lactamase producing loci. We plan to excise these two genes from the bacterial genome and insert it into a vector with a suitable marker such as an ampicillin or tetracycline resistance gene. Once the genes of interest are successfully inserted into the vector and transformed into a bacterial cell, they will be screened and selected. The next step will be to use an appropriate promoter sequence, express these genes with a GFP marker to study the role of these two export proteins in the infection pathway, and to determine what role they may play in the invasiveness of these pathogens.
2. Geomicrobiology: Isolation of Euglena mutabilis from Acid Mine Drainage
A single-celled algae, identified as Euglena mutabilis, has been isolated from acid mine drainage at Green Valley Mine, Vigo County, IN. E. mutabilis was distinguished from other euglenoids by its sessile nature, lack of visible flagella, and unique mode of locomotion. Like other euglenoids, it is photosynthetic, possesses a stigma, and undergoes phototaxis. The organism occurs as a biofilm on the surface of limestone and precipitated iron in the drainage channel.
Characterization of growth requirements showed that the organism is resistant to acid (pH 2.2-4.5) and extremely high concentrations of Fe2+, Fe3+, sulfate, and aluminum. The optimum pH for growth is 3.4. A minimal synthetic growth medium has been formulated based on results of chemical analysis of the drainage. With age the organism accumulates iron inclusions in its cytoplasm, which may ultimately function in precipitation of iron from the mine drainage. However, iron is not required for growth in the minimal synthetic media. Further research is underway to determine the function of the iron inclusions.
Dannelly, H. K., Chamberlain, A., Honecki, D., Pass, A. (2005) Community-acquired Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections of Turf Burns, Sports Medicine, (In Preparation).
Li, Y., Dannelly, H. K. (2005) A preliminary study on the putative tetracycline resistance gene HP1165 in Helicobacter pylori. Archives in Microbiology, (In Review).
Dannelly, H. K., Brake, S. (2005) Characterization of Euglena mutabilis from acid mine drainage and potential role in bioremediation. Appl.Env.Micro., (In Preparation).
Waworuntu, R., Dannelly, H. K. (2004) Killing Efficiency of Contact Lens Solutions after Incubation with Lenses. Eye and Contact Lens. 30 (3):163-164.
Brake, S. S., Hasiotis, S. T., Dannelly, H. K. (2004) Diatoms in Acid Mine Drainage and Their Role in the Formation of Iron-Rich Stromatolites. Geomicrobiology Journal, 21:331-340.
Whitaker, Jr., J. O., Prentice, D. A. and Dannelly, H. K. (2004) Chitinase in Insectivorous Bats? J. Mammol. 85 (1): 15-18.
Brake, S. S., Hasiotis, S. T., Dannelly, H. K., Connors, K. A. (2002) Eukaryotic stromatolite builders in acid mine drainage: implications for precambrian iron formations and oxygenation of the atmosphere? Geology, 30(7): 599-602.
Dannelly, H. K., Liu, Y., Ghosh, S. (2001). Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection affects cholinergic enzymes in rat lacrimal gland. Archives of Microbiology 177:47-53.
Sinha, K., Dannelly, H. K., and Ghosh, S. K. (2001) Effects of T-lymphocyte-dependent and -independent immunity on cholinergic enzyme activity in mouse lacrimal gland. Experimental Physiology, 86.2:169-176.
Brake, S. S., Dannelly, H. K., Conners, K. A., and Hasiotis, S. T. (2001) Influence of water chemistry on the distribution of an acidophilic protozoan in an acid mine drainage system at the abandoned Green Valley coal mine, Indiana, USA. Applied Geochemistry 16:1641-1652.
Brake, S. S., Dannelly, H. K., and Conner, K. A. (2001) Controls on the nature and distribution of an alga in coal mine-waste environments and its potential impact on water quality. J. Environmental Geology 40 (4-5):458-468.
Tsai, T. and Dannelly, H. K. (2000) How dangerous is non-compliance with multipurpose disinfecting solutions? Contact Lens Spectrum, January 2000.
Brake, S. S., Dannelly, H. K., Jones, M., Lawson, L. A. (1999) Acid mine drainage at the green valley mine, Vigo County, Indiana: Possible influence of an acidophilic alga. Department of Geography, Geology, and Anthropology, Indiana State University, Professional Paper Series No. 21: Indiana Studies.
Dantley, K. A., Dannelly, H. K., Burdett, V. (1998) Binding Interaction between Tet(M) and the ribosome: Requirements for binding. Journal of Bacteriology 180: 4089-4092.
Dannelly, H. K. and Roseman, S. (1996) Active Site Phosphorylation of Enzyme I of the Bacterial Phosphotransferase System by an ATP-Dependent Kinase. Journal of Biological Chemistry 271:15285-15291.
Dannelly, H. K. and Roseman, S. (1992) NAD+ and NADH regulate an ATP-dependent kinase that phosphorylates enzyme I of the Escherichia coli phosphotransferase system. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, USA 89: 11274-11276.
Dannelly, H. K. and Reeves, H. C. (1989) Phosphorylation of Escherichia coli enolase. Biochemie 71: 1095-1100.
Dannelly, H. K., Cortay, J. -C., Cozzone, A. J. and Reeves, H. C. (1989) Identification of Phosphoserine in in vivo-labeled enolase from Escherichia coli. Current Microbiology 19: 237-240.
Dannelly, H. K. and Reeves, H. C. (1989) In vivo phosphorylation of enolase from Escherichia coli. Current Microbiology 18: 127-129.
Dannelly, H. K. and Reeves, H. C. (1988) Purification and characterization of enolase from Escherichia coli. Current Microbiology 17: 265-268.
Robertson, E. F., Dannelly, H. K., Malloy, P. J. and Reeves, H. C. (1987) Rapid isoelectric focusing in a vertical polyacrylamide minigel system. Analytical Biochemistry 167: 290-294.