Structure and biogenesis of cell-cell junctions in multicellular cyanobacteria (A11)

• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2007 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 32152271

We discovered a cell-cell communication structure in the septal cross-walls of filamentous cyanobacteria. The central part of the septa contains a semi-regular array of 100-200 nanopores of 20 nm diameter, formed by the activity of AmiC type cell-wall hydrolases. To clarify the formation of the pore complexes, we want to study the septal peptidoglycan in detail and analyse structure-function and regulation of AmiC hydrolases. The spatial and temporal aspects of assembly of pore-traversing channels during the life-cycle of the cells shall be clarified by applying biochemical, molecular genetic and cell biological tools.

• 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: Professor Dr. Karl Forchhammer; Privatdozentin Dr. Iris Maldener