John F. Alderete, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Microbiology

 

Location:

DTL, Room 5.015V

Phone:

(210) 567-3940

Fax:

(210) 567-6612

E-mail:

alderete@uthscsa.edu

 

Research Interests:

Research activities are directed toward defining molecular pathogenesis and identifying virulence factors of the sexually transmitted protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis. Elucidation of the biological function and immunobiochemical characterization of specific microbial surface immunogens are emphasized. Molecular anatomy of adherence-parasitic events as well as phenotypic variation of prominent membrane proteins are major goals. The contribution of specific microbial and host molecules, like the iron-binding and iron-containing proteins, to pathogenesis is of special interest. Finally, the study of environmental signals involved in regulation of expression of virulence genes and of adaptive response immunogens and adhesins is an important component of the research program.

 

Unique Technical and Clinical Research Capabilities/Instrumentation:

 

Publications:

J.F. Alderete. 1997. Involvement of dsRNA virus in the protein and growth kinetics of host Trichomonas vaginalis. Archives of Virol. 142:939.

J.F. Alderete. 1997. The vagina has reducing level sufficient for activation of Trichomonas vaginalis cysteine proteinases. Genitourin. Med. 73: 291.

Alderete, J.F., J. Engbring, C.M. Lauriano, and J.L. O'Brien. 1998. Only two of the Trichomonas vaginalis AP51 adhesins are regulated by iron. Microbial Pathogen. 23:1-16.

Engbring, J. A., and J.F. Alderete. 1998 Three genes encode distinct AP33 proteins involved in Trichomonas vaginalis cytoadherence. Molec. Microbiol. 28:305-313.

Musatovova, O., and J.F. Alderete. 1998. Molecular analysis of the immunodominant phenotypically varying p270 gene of Trichomonas vaginalis. Microbial Pathogen 23:223-239.

Engbring, J. A., and J.F. Alderete. 1998 Identification of the receptor-binding epitope for AP33 involved in Trichomonas vaginalis cytoadherence. Microbiology. 144:3011-3018.

Krieger, J.N., and J.F. Alderete. 1999. Trichomonas vaginalis and Trichomoniasis. In Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Third edition, Homes, K.K. et al, (eds.), McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York.

 

Key Words:

cytoadherence; environment regulation; host-parasite interactions; molecular mimicry; proteinases; sexually transmitted diseases; trichomonas vaginalis