Transcriptional and translational mechanisms of starvation priming in Staphylococcus aureus increase tolerance to oxidative and electrophile stress (C08)

• Subject Area: Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms
• Term: from 2017 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 190578797

Staphylococcus aureus acquires non-specific tolerance to redox-active compounds and antibiotics during entry into stationary phase (“starvation priming”). We will study the stressor-specific transcriptional mechanisms (AldA, MerA, MhqR) and the role of non-specific stationary phase factors, such as (p)ppGpp and σB, in starvation priming. The role of transcription regulation in starvation priming will be investigated via functional and structural studies of RNA polymerase with interacting factors (e.g. DNA helicase HelD/HelIV and regulators of ribosomal RNA synthesis). We will elucidate the mechanisms, which promote redox stress and antibiotics tolerance of starved S. aureus.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 973: Priming and Memory of Organismic Responses to Stress
• Applicant Institution: Freie Universität Berlin
• Project Heads: Professorin Dr. Haike Antelmann; Professor Dr. Markus C. Wahl, since 7/2020