Cel
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.
Dziedzina nauki
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanets
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsantibiotics
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnucleotides
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes
Słowa kluczowe
Program(-y)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Temat(-y)
System finansowania
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsInstytucja przyjmująca
30167 Hannover
Niemcy