Bistable expression of secondary cell wall glycopolymer biosynthesis genes: underlying mechanism and impact on virulence (A07)

• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2007 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 32152271

The composition of the cell envelope is tightly regulated. We analysed regulation of core biosynthesis genes necessary for capsular polysaccharide and wall teichoic acid synthesis and found that the expression of these glycopolymers is controlled on different levels: i.) transcriptional control by quorum sensing, ii) additional so far unknown mechanisms that result in bistable expression of these molecules and, iii) are required for the activation at later growth phase. We will unravel the postulated mechanisms by unbiased screening approaches and the analysis of candidate regulators on the single cell level. We will also establish in vitro and in vivo imaging tools for analysis under infection related conditions.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 766: The Bacterial Cell Envelope: Structure, Function and Infection Interface
• Applicant Institution: Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
• Project Heads: Dr. Christopher Weidenmaier; Professorin Dr. Christiane Wolz