Project description
Finding the factors that control Shigella entrapment in septin cages
The bacterial pathogen Shigella causes bacillary dysentery (shigellosis) and also serves as an important laboratory model organism used to study the host response to infection. Septins are GTP-binding proteins found in all eukaryotic cells except plants. Recent human studies have found that septins build cages around pathogenic bacteria, immobilising and preventing them from invading other cells. The EU-funded CAGECONTROL project aims to discover the factors underlying the entrapment of Shigella in septin cages. Researchers will identify and study new host and bacterial factors behind the formation of septin cages in HeLa cells. The project's results might translate to healthcare applications, inspiring new treatments against shigellosis.
Objective
Shigella is a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen and causative agent of bacillary dysentery (also called shigellosis). Shigella kills ∼164 thousand people per year and is recognised by the WHO as a priority pathogen due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains. In the laboratory, Shigella is an important model organism used to study cellular microbiology and host response to infection.
This proposal will innovate approaches to discover factors underlying the entrapment of Shigella in “septin cages”, a host defence mechanism discovered by Prof. Mostowy. Septins are highly conserved GTP-binding proteins that polymerize into cage-like structures to entrap actively dividing intracellular Shigella, preventing their division and actin-based motility. Here, I will identify and study new host and bacterial factors underlying the formation of septin cages in HeLa cells. For this, I will use a proximity biotinylation assay (split APEX2) specifically localized at sites of Shigella-septin association, followed by mass spectrometry. I will then investigate the identified candidates by siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9 depletion in the case of the host, and by homologous recombination in the case of the bacteria, to monitor the number, morphology and dynamics of septin cages using high-content microscopy. In addition, I will do GFP-fusions to analyse the subcellular localisation of the candidates by high-resolution microscopy. Finally, to control the fate of intracellular Shigella, I will manipulate septin cage formation using nanobodies to artificially deliver septins (and other septin caging factors identified by mass spectrometry) to the surface of Shigella during infection.
It is expected that my research will discover fundamental mechanisms underlying the entrapment of Shigella in septin cages, and illuminate issues central to both cell and infection biology. Moreover, my project may translate to human health impact, inspiring new treatments against shigellosis.
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
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
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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.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019
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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.
WC1E 7HT LONDON
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.