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Modes of evolution in a parasite?host interaction: Dis-entangling factors determining the evolution of regulated fimbriation in E. coli

Chu, Dominique (2008) Modes of evolution in a parasite?host interaction: Dis-entangling factors determining the evolution of regulated fimbriation in E. coli. Biosystems, 95 (1). pp. 67-74. ISSN 0303-2647. (doi:10.1016/j.biosystems.2008.07.001) (KAR id:24035)

Abstract

Escherichia coli expresses type-I fimbriae; these are protrusions from the outer cell wall and have been identified as a virulence factor. They are also expressed by commensal strains of E. coli although (at any one time) only by a small proportion of the population. The orthodox interpretation of this is that fimbriation is regulated so as (i) to trigger a host-based release of nutrients in the form of inflammation signals by slightly activating host defenses and (ii) while avoiding a full scale inflammatory response. This article presents a number of computer simulations of the evolution of fimbriae to scrutinize the evolutionary plausibility of this orthodox view. It turns out that these simulations suggest a revised interpretation of the fimbriae mediated parasitehost interaction. Rather than being a passive victim the host is actively providing a niche that evolutionary favors less virulent parasites. The article closes with a number of testable predictions of this model.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2008.07.001
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science) > QA 76 Software, computer programming,
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
Depositing User: Dominique Chu
Date Deposited: 29 Mar 2010 12:11 UTC
Last Modified: 05 Nov 2024 10:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/24035 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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