Project Details
Projekt
The Bacteroides type VI secretion systems as unique machineries for the transmembrane transport of effector proteins with unknown function
Subject Area
Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
Term
since 2025
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 564279481
Bacteria of the intestinal microbiota are in need for cellular structures that enable the interaction with their abiotic and biotic environment. One such machinery is the type VI secretion system (T6SS), a sophisticated molecular complex for the transport of proteins across a bacterium’s inner and outer membrane. Secreted ‘T6SS effector proteins’ have been reported across bacterial species to kill competing bacterial and fungal cells, manipulate host cells, and aid in nutrient acquisition. Although T6SSs have been identified in bacteria of the human intestinal microbiota, the structure and function of multiple proteins encoded in T6SS genes of non-model organisms are unknown. We focus on the T6SSs of Bacteroides isolates, which were collected by multiple SPP members, including Thomas Clavel, Ruth Schmitz-Streit and Nassos Typas. We combine the complementary expertise of the Unterweger group in T6SS genomics and the Sondermann group in deciphering the structure and function of poorly characterized proteins to gain a better molecular and mechanistic understanding of the microbiota-specific T6SSs. Our objectives are to i) characterize the Bacteroides T6SSs phenotypically and genotypically, and to ii) decipher the structure and function of distinct apparatus proteins and novel effector proteins. The proposed experiments will advance our understanding of cellular structures and functions of non-model human gut microbial species. This project will make use of shared resources and tools within this SPP, ranging from bacterial isolates (Z project) to tools for genetic manipulation and proteomics. We are eager to contribute to this SPP with our expertise in molecular microbiology and in deorphanizing genes of unknown function, and our active participation in SPP activities.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
