Regulation of the PQQ-dependent quinoprotein enzyme systems in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Helmut Görisch
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2005 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5452096

P. aeruginosa uses very efficient enzyme systems to oxidize ethanol and glucose. Both systems depend on the same quinone cofactor pyrroloquinoline quinone. With the ethanol oxidation system three genes coding for a two component sensor/response regulator system and an additional response regulator have been identified. They are organized in an hierarchiacal manner. From studies with regulatory mutants, we know that at least 7 genes must be involved in the regulation of ethanol oxidation. The missing regulatory factors of the ethanol oxidation system will be identified and their interrelationship with the known regulatory proteins will be studied. In addition we want to know how the regulatory networks of the ethanol and the glucose oxidation systems are interwoven. Both systems need the cofactor PQQ, while the quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase or glucose dehydrogenase apoproteins are needed only in the presence of the respective substrate.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Japan
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. K. Matsushita