Objective
Shigella flexneri, a Gram-negative enterobacterium, causes dysentery in humans. It uses a type III secretion system (TTSS) to infect its host. The TTSS is a large protein complex that spans both bacterial membranes and the host plasma membrane. It mediates the apparent direct translocation of proteins from the bacterium through its central channel into the host cell. Therefore, unravelling the molecular mechanisms by which the TTSS functions is key to understanding how it mediates this host-pathogen interac tion. For this purpose, we aim to reconstitute in vitro its sole energy-dependent step, i.e. protein export across the bacterial inner membrane (IM). In vitro reconstitution allows us to study features of the protein export reaction that would otherwise no t be accessible, e. g. analysing the separate steps that encompasses the passage of the substrate through the IM channel.First we will analyse the in vivo properties of protein export by the IM domain, using a Shigella strain that lacks the periplasmic/ou ter membrane region of the TTSS. In this strain, the export of MxiHCdelta5, a non-polymerising mutant of the needle protein MxiH, will be analysed. Then, the components of the IM domain of the TTSS will be overproduced and inner membrane vesicles (IMVs) ha rbouring the overproduced IM domain will be isolated. Protein export assays will be conducted in vitro by the addition of the cytoplasmic TTSS components and the substrate MxiHCdelta5. These results will be compared to the data acquired in the in vivo expo rt assay. These experiments will greatly enhance our understanding of TTSS function. Many elements of TTSSs are evolutionary conserved, in particular the IM domain, thus our work should also help understand how the TTSSs in bacteria such as Chlamydia, Salm onella and Pseudomonas species, all important human, animal and/or plant pathogens, interact with the cells of their host. This should aid in the design of a new range of broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
FP6-2004-MOBILITY-5
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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.
Coordinator
OXFORD
United Kingdom
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.