Project Details
Projekt
Targeted RNAylation of Escherichia coli's Translational Machinery: A Hijacking Strategy Made by Bacteriophage T4
Applicant
Dr. Katharina Höfer
Subject Area
Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Term
since 2021
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 464500427
Since the discovery of bacteriophages (phages) over a century ago, phage research has revolutionized our understanding of fundamental biological processes, particularly in elucidating the mechanisms by which phages hijack host gene expression machinery. Among model phages, bacteriophage T4 (T4 phage) stands out for orchestrating infection by hijacking the host's RNA polymerase and ribosome.In the initial phase of SPP 2330 funding, we uncovered RNAylation, a novel mechanism by which specific RNAs and proteins are covalently linked during T4 phage infection in Escherichia coli. Our discovery revealed that T4 phage ADP-ribosyltransferase (ART) ModB specifically RNAylates the translational apparatus of E. coli, providing insight into how the phage targets the host translational machinery. Building on this fundamental discovery, our interdisciplinary research project aims to delve deeper into RNAylation dynamics. We seek to understand the specificity of ModB in RNAylating translation-involved proteins and its implications for phage infection. Specifically, we will investigate the specificity achieved for the ribosome and how RNAylation influences translational processes during T4 phage infection. Furthermore, we will explore whether RNAylation of proteins is a transient process and identify potential regulatory mechanisms governing its presence during infection. This study promises to enhance our understanding of how ModB modulates essential bacterial processes like translation to facilitate effective infection. By elucidating the functional role of RNAylation in phage-host interactions, we aim to shed light on previously unexplored aspects of bacterial processes and infection mechanisms.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
