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Genotoxicity and immunogenicity of the uropathogenic specific protein (USP) in the gut

Award Number: R16GM153691
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

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Genotoxicity and immunogenicity of the uropathogenic specific protein (USP) in the gut - PI: Baerga-Ortiz, Abel Title: Genotoxicity and immunogenicity of the uropathogenic specific protein (usp) in the gut Project Summary The uropathogenic specific protein (USP) is a multi-domain protein with nuclease activity harbored by some uropathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. The protein has been shown to cause damage to cultured endothelial cells. Although USP is primarily associated with urinary tract, the USP gene has been found in a large percentage of fecal samples screened across populations in Japan, USA and Puerto Rico. The presence of USP in fecal samples raises the question of 1) whether USP is toxic to the gastrointestinal tract and 2) whether this toxicity is a risk factor for intestinal disorders. This proposal is an effort to understand the gut-specific activity/toxicity of purified USP. Our group has already expressed and purified a USP protein with high nuclease activity. This R16 proposal details work that will be performed entirely by students, in which purified USP will be used to: 1) Investigate toxicity of USP against cultured patient-derived intestinal organoids, 2) Delineate possible mechanisms of USP entry into cultured patient-derived intestinal organoids, and 3) Explore whether the presence of USP in fecal samples is correlated with an anti-USP antibody response. All of the proposed experiments will help to ascertain a possible gut-specific activity of USP, which may impact disease risk.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $150,331 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	2/12/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$150,331
														Subtotal = $150,331

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $151,306 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	4/23/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$151,306
														Subtotal = $151,306

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $151,306 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MEDICAL SCIENCES CAMPUS	B622 MAIN BUILDING FLR 6	SAN JUAN	PR	00935	SAN JUAN	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	3/25/2024	NEW	$151,306
														Subtotal = $151,306

Grand Total All Awards = $452,943

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Genotoxicity and immunogenicity of the uropathogenic specific protein (USP) in the gut

Award Number: R16GM153691

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 04/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/29/2028

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