Molecular principles of c-di-GMP signaling cascades in Escherichia coli

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anke Becker, since 1/2013
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2011 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 198305071

Molecular mechanisms of cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) mediated signal transduction will be studied in the model organism Escherichia coli. This bacterial second messenger stimulates the production of adhesive protein- and polysaccharide structures and therefore plays a key role for bacterial growth on surfaces in biofilms. Biofilm formation is the basis of many chronic bacterial infections. Synthesis and degradation of c-di-GMP is carried out by diguanylate cyclases and specific phosphodiesterases, whose activity is controlled by sensory domains. Alterations of the cellular c-di-GMP level are sensed by c-di-GMP binding effector domains, which in turn govern production of the biofilm factors. Interestingly, many bacterial genomes encode dozens of diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases, which appear to control only specific effector domains and biofilm factors. The molecular basis of this functional association between diguanylate cyclases and phosphodiesterases with specific biofilm factors shall be unraveled here. In addition, molecular aspects of signal perception and signal transduction will be studied on two exemplary model proteins. It is expected that knowledge derived from these studies can be applied to biofilm forming pathogenic bacteria.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Alexander Böhm, until 1/2013 (†)