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Revealing second messenger functions in bacterial stress response, cell differentiation and natural product biosynthesis

Objective

Sophisticated signalling systems enable bacteria to occupy almost every single niche on our planet. In such systems, second messengers are crucial information carriers that elicit cellular adaptation to diverse signals. Current dynamics in signalling research have led to the discovery of an exquisite collection of nucleotides that bacteria use as second messengers, including cyclic dimeric adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP). A unique feature of c-di-AMP is its essentiality, making it an attractive target for antibiotics.
The main objective of this proposal is to uncover the full repertoire of c-di-AMP functions and metabolism in bacteria by using Streptomyces as a model. Streptomyces are our most prolific antibiotic producers and represent an excellent system to study multicellular differentiation. They live in soil, where they encounter diverse environmental cues that trigger antibiotic production and a complex transition from multicellular filaments to spores. c-di-AMP enables Streptomyces to survive osmotic stress caused by rainfall and drought, but interferes with development. How c-di-AMP affects differentiation and how these bacteria adapt to stress signalled by c-di-AMP is unknown.
Here, we propose that bacteria use a novel transmembrane signalling pathway to remodel their cell wall for surviving stress mediated by c-di-AMP. We will challenge the current view in the field by showing that the set of enzymes involved in c-di-AMP dynamics is larger than it is currently believed and we will identify new c-di-AMP effectors. Finally, we will explore the potential of c-di-AMP for manipulation of natural product biosynthesis and address the function of a linear di-AMP molecule that is new to signalling research. Our proposed research will not only lead to the discovery of fundamental new principles in bacterial signalling and differentiation but might also identify new cell wall associated targets for drug design and tools for triggering antibiotic biosynthesis.

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(opens in new window) ERC-2021-STG

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Host institution

GOTTFRIED WILHELM LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITAET HANNOVER
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 478 373,00
Address
WELFENGARTEN 1
30167 Hannover
Germany

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Region
Niedersachsen Hannover Region Hannover
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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.

€ 1 478 373,00

Beneficiaries (1)

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