The role of phospholipase PlaF mediated membrane alterations for Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence adaptations (A02#)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 267205415

The project addresses the question how an intracellular phospholipase A produced by the human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa can exert a variety of cellular responses which contribute to virulence adap-tation. This enzyme named PlaF alters the endogenous membrane lipid composition and regulates several essential and virulence-related pathways in P. aeruginosa by still unknown mechanisms. Here, we will study the assembly of membrane protein complexes whose formation is dependent on PlaF:protein interactions and determine alterations of the membrane phospholipid composition. In vitro experiments with reconstituted membrane complexes will be used to elucidate molecular details of the interactions with the previously identified protein and lipid effectors and their effects for regulating the biochemical function of PlaF. The anticipated results should provide novel insights into the function of lipid degradation pathways for membrane biogenesis and virulence.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1208: Identity and Dynamics of Membrane Systems - from Molecules to Cellular Functions
• Applicant Institution: Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Karl Erich Jaeger; Dr. Filip Kovacic