Synthesizing a Viable Indicator for Staphylococcus Aureus
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Authors
O'Connor, Adisyn
Bradbury, Ezekiel
White, Kelly
Kaiser, Rachel
Crichton, Juliette
Date of Issue
2024
Type
Presentation
Language
en_US
Subject Keywords
Other Titles
Abstract
The objective of this research project is to synthesize a viable indicator for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to aid medical professionals in rapid and efficient testing for the bacterial infection it causes in humans. The V-8 protease produced by the bacteria cleaves polypeptide bonds specific to glutamic acid. Therefore, a proposed substrate-dye complex has been established utilizing glutamic acid bound to glycine which is then attached to a dye, 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescein (DCF). When the indicator is intact, glutamic acid quenches DCF and prevents it from fluorescing but when the protease cleaves the peptide bond, the dye glows therefore confirming the presence of S. aureus. The goal of this semester’s work is to bind the components of the dye-amino acid complex together to synthesize the indicator. The process of Fischer esterification will be employed to add protecting groups to the glutamic acid of the dipeptide bond. If the esterification is successful, DCF will then be attached to the dipeptide utilizing aromatic substitution and the indicator can be tested in a culture of S. aureus.