Contract number
J4-1778
Department:
Department of Biology
Type of project
ARIS projects
Type of project
Basic research project
Role
Lead
Financing
Duration
01.07.2019 - 30.06.2022
Total
1,3 FTE
Project manager at BF
Butala MatejABSTRACT
The natural products synthesized by microorganisms are privileged compounds for the discovery of antibiotics as they result from natural selection and are the source of highly effective antibiotics. Our recent results reported the discovery of a small, 50-residue bacteriophage protein, gp7, able to interact with and modulate functions of the global transcription factor LexA, a key SOS regulator involved in the development of antibiotic resistance. This is the first report of a natural molecule that interacts directly with LexA to inhibit its self-cleavage activity and enhance its DNA binding, thus inhibit the host SOS response. We obtained the crystal structure of the gp7 protein and according to SAXS data we generated a structural model of gp7 in complex with LexA. In this project we will enhance our knowledge on biology of gp7 protein and try to use this knowledge in the battle against pathogens.
THE PHASES OF THE PROJECT AND THEIR REALIZATION
- To obtain better insight into biology of gp7.
(We are currently determining novel characteristics of gp7 protein and searching for its homolog genes.) - Based on gp7, develop new, safe anti-microbial compounds.
- Validate novel compounds.