Objective
The DNA uptake competence system of the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was considered non-functional. There are no known conditions for DNA transformation and the competence master activator gene, comK, is interrupted by a temperate (lysogenic) prophage. We have shown recently that the L. monocytogenes competence system is required during infection to promote bacterial escape from macrophage phagosomes, in a manner that is independent of DNA uptake. Remarkably, we found that regulation of the competence system relies on the formation of a functional comK gene via a controlled process of prophage excision. Prophage excision was specifically induced during intracellular growth, primarily within phagosomes, yet, unlike classic prophage induction, progeny virions were not produced and bacterial lysis did not occur. This study revealed a unique adaptation of a prophage to the intracellular life style of its host, whereby the prophage serves as a genetic switch to modulate the virulence of its host. In the proposed project we aim to investigate this phenomenon and study the give-and-take interactions between the L. monocytogenes 10403S strain and its ϕ10403S-prophage during mammalian infection. We will study the prophage determinants and mechanisms that control intracellular excision and maintenance as well as the mechanisms that prevent its virions production and bacterial lysis. We will explore the crosstalk between phage and bacterial regulatory factors and characterize the mammalian host signals/conditions that trigger this unique prophage response. Lastly, we will investigate the unexpected function of the competence system in phagosomal escape. In particular, we will explore the possibility that the competence system serves as an auxiliary secretion system, which secretes proteins that promote phagosomal escape.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2013-StG
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
69978 Tel Aviv
Israel
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.