Project Details
Projekt
In vitro reconstitution of the polymer exporting ABC-transporter TarGH of Staphylococcus aureus
Applicant
Dr. Kathrin Schirner
Subject Area
Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
Term
from 2010 to 2013
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 190826762
Transport machineries are required by all cells to allow various substances to cross membranes. One major class of transporters is the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC-transporters), members of which are present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Even though they fulfill important functions, the molecular mechanism by which ATP binding and hydrolysis is coupled to substrate translocation is still unknown. An example for a bacterial ABC exporter is TarGH from Staphylococcus aureus, which is responsible for the flipping the wall teichoic acid (WTA) precursor polymer across the cytoplasmic membrane. We aim to reconstitute this step in vitro, which will allow us to analyze the substrate specificity of the transporter and mechanism of export, both of which are unknown for this type of transporter. Because WTA is a major constituent of the Grampositive cell envelope and important for cell viability, cell shape and pathogenesis in various organisms, the export step represents a novel potential antibiotic target, and the in vitro system can additionally be used to screen for inhibitors of this essential process.
DFG Programme
Research Fellowships
International Connection
USA
