Molecular interactions between pathogenic bacteria and higher organisms medicated by diffusible signal molecules.

Two model systems are currently employed; (1) Interactions between V. vulnificus and human. (2) Interactions between A. tumefaciens and plant.

Lee BC, Lee JH, Kim MW, Kim BS, Oh MH, Kim KS, Kim TS, Choi SH.

Vibrio vulnificus rtxE is important for virulence, and its expression is induced by exposure to host cells. Infect Immun (2008) 76:1509-1517

Goo SY, Lee HJ, Kim WH, Han KL, Park DK, Lee HJ, Kim SM, Kim KS, Lee KH, Park SJ. Identification of OmpU of Vibrio vulnificus as a fibronectin-binding protein and its role in bacterial pathogenesis. Infect Immun (2006) 74: 5586-5594

Park DK, Lee KE, Baek CH, Kim IH, Kwon JH, Lee WK, Lee KH, Kim BS, Choi SH, Kim KS. Cyclo(Phe-Pro) modulates the expression of ompU in Vibrio spp. J Bacteriol (2006) 188:2214-2221