Daniele Provenzano, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Lab: Molecular Pathogenesis of Vibrio Cholerae
Office:M-1 Building 212
Office Phone: (956) 882-5045
Lab Location: M-1 Building 214
Lab Phone: (956) 882-5190
Daniele.Provenzano@utb.edu@utb.edu

Molecular Pathogenesis Laboratory

Competition for limited resources is one of the essential pressures driving evolution. The collective history of adaptations by any species is recorded at the molecular level in the organism’s genetic code. Microbial pathogenesis may be viewed as the study of the molecular front line where host and pathogen carry out the battle for finite nutrients. The interface where host and pathogen meet is particularly attractive to study evolutionary adaptation because microbial pathogens exist that are a) amenable to genetic manipulation, b) simple to maintain in the laboratory, and c) have short generation times. My research interest focuses on the molecular dissection of the host-pathogen relationship employing the Vibrio cholerae experimental model. The final objective of this investigative genre is the disclosure of potential targets for disease intervention strategies while gaining insight about mechanisms leading to pathogenesis. Biochemical analysis of steps involved in colonization is a central area of interest pursued in the laboratory. The dissection of events leading to persistence of pathogens in the host environment are approached both from a molecular as well as from a biochemical perspective.

Publications

• Bina, X. R., D. Provenzano, N.Nguyen, and J.E. Bina. 2008 RND-family Efflux Systems are required for high-level virulence factor production, colonization, and antimicrobial resistance in Vibrio cholerae. Infection and Immunity.
• Provenzano D., P. Kovac, and W. F. Wade. 2006. The ABCs (Antibodies, B cells and Carbohydrate epitopes) of cholera immunity: considerations for an improved vaccine. Microbiology and Immunology, 50(12):899-927.
• Bina, J., Provenzano, D., Wang, C., Bina X.R., and J.J. Mekalanos. 2006. Characterization of the Vibrio cholerae vexRAB and vexCD efflux systems. Archives of Microbiology, 186(3):171-181
• Kannan, T.R., D. Provenzano, J.R. Wright, and J. B. Baseman. 2005 A Mycoplasma pneumoniae Surfactant-Protein A biding protein has cytotoxic activity. Infection and Immunity, 73(5):2828-2834.
• Wibbenmeyer, J.A., D. Provenzano, C.D. Landry, K.E. Klose, A.H. Delcour. 2002. Vibrio cholerae OmpU and OmpT porins are differentially affected by bile. Infection and Immunity, 70(1):1201-12.
• Provenzano, D., C.M. Lauriano, and K.E. Klose. 2001. Characterization of the role of ToxR-modulated outer membrane-porins OmpU and OmpT in Vibrio cholerae virulence. Journal of Bacteriology, 183(12):3652-3662.
• Julio, S. M., D.M. Heithoff, D. Provenzano, K.E. Klose, R.L. Sinsheimer, D.A. Low, and M.J. Mahan. 2001. DNA adenine methylase is essential for viability and plays a role in the pathogenesis of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Vibrio cholerae. Infection and Immunity, 69(12):7610-7615.
• Provenzano D. and K.E. Klose. 2000. Altered expression of the ToxR-regulated porins OmpU and OmpT diminishes Vibrio cholerae bile resistance, virulence factor expression, and intestinal colonization. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, 97(18):10220-10224.
• Provenzano D., D.A. Schuhmacher, J.L. Barker, and K.E. Klose. 2000. The virulence regulatory protein ToxR mediates enhanced bile resistance in Vibrio cholerae and other pathogenic Vibrio species. Infection and Immunity, 68(3):1491-1497.
• Provenzano D., A. Khoshnan, and J.F. Alderete. 1997. Involvement of dsRNA virus in the protein composition and growth kinetics of host Trichomonas vaginalis. Archives of Virology, 142:939-952.
• Alderete J.F. and D. Provenzano. 1997. The vagina has reducing environment sufficient for activation of Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteinases. Genitourinary Medicine, 73:291-296.
• Provenzano, D. and J.F. Alderete. 1995. Analysis of human immunoglobulin-degrading cysteine proteinases of Trichomonas vaginalis. Infection and Immunity, 63(9):3388-3395.
• Alderete J.F., D. Provenzano, and M.W. Lehker. 1995. Iron mediates Trichomonas vaginalis resistance to complement lysis. Microbial Pathogenesis, 19:93-103.
• Khoshnan, A., D. Provenzano, and J.F. Alderete. 1994. Unique double-stranded RNAs associated with the Trichomonas vaginalis virus are synthesized by viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Journal of Virology, 68(11):7108-7114.