Regulation of the expression and translocation of reductive dehalogenases in anaerobic bacteria

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Gabriele Diekert
• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2007 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 45646842

The regulation of the organohalide respiration in the anaerobic epsilonproteobacterium Sulfurospirillum multivoransexhibits a novel long-term mechanism which is contrary to the known types of quick adaptation of bacteria to environmental changes. In this project, the regulatory networks and the components involved will be identified and functionally characterized using up-to-date methods of genomics and transcriptomics. In particular, the correlation and the coordination of the biogenesis of the tetrachlroroethene respiratory chain will be analyzed. Using molecular-biochemical techniques, the detection of PCE by the bacterium will be investigated and the transformation of this signal into the induction of pce gene expression and that of other gene clusters involved, their translation and protein maturation including protein sorting will be elucidated. This project will unravel a novel mechanism of regulation of the bacterial energy metabolism and extend our current knowledge on the diversity of regulatory mechanisms.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants