Social cheating Flashcards
1
Q
Cystic Fibrosis
A
Mutation in CTFR gene
Encodes chloride ion channels
Thick dehydrated mucus in lungs - can’t be moved properly by cilia
2
Q
How does P.aeruginosa make hydrogen cyanide
A
oxidative decarboxylation of glycine mediated by membrane-bound cyanide synthases encoded by the hcnABC operon
3
Q
How does HCN affect cellular respiration?
A
Cyanide reversibly binds to the ferric ions in cytochrome oxidase, blocking reduction of oxygen to water
4
Q
What is the purpose of P .aeruginosa producing HCN?
A
To control cheater population as HCN production is linked to HCN self-protection i.e. cyanide insensitive oxidase
5
Q
How to identify LasR mutants (cheaters)
A
- Culture on casein (minimal medium)
- Subculture on skimmed milk agar - Cheaters won’t produce a plaque because they have no proteases
6
Q
Steady state of mutants vs WT
A
70% WT and 30% mutants
