Responsable: Francisco Ramos Morales
Tipo de Proyecto/Ayuda: Plan Nacional del 2010
Referencia: SAF2010-15015
Fecha de Inicio: 01-01-2011
Fecha de Finalización: 31-12-2013

Empresa/Organismo financiador/es:

• Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación

Equipo:

• Investigadores:
  • Joaquín Bernal Bayard
  • Elena Cardenal Muñoz
  • María del Mar Cordero Alba
• Personal Investigador en Formación:
  • Fernando Baisón Olmo (alta: 02/11/2011)

Contratados:

• Investigadores:
  • María del Mar Cordero Alba
  • Juan José García Gómez

Resumen del proyecto:

Salmonella enterica are pathogenic bacteria that can cause gastroenteritis or systemic disease in humans and a great variety of animals. These are facultative intracellular bacteria that are found within phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells in vivo. Salmonella produces two virulence-associated type III secretion systems (T3SS) that are fundamental elements in the interaction with the host cells. These systems are "molecular syringes" that allow secretion and translocation of bacterial proteins, called effectors, into the cytoplasm of the eukaryotic cell. Effectors interfere with signal transduction pathways in the host and allow active internalization of the bacteria and their survival and proliferation within vacuoles. The general aim of this project is to contribute to a better knowledge of the mechanisms of virulence of Salmonella through the functional and structural study of three particular T3SS effectors, SlrP, SteA and SseK1, and of their effects on the eukaryotic host cell. SlrP has been previously studied by our group, as part of the previous project. SteA and SseK1 are recently identified T3SS effectors of unknown function. Different in vivo and in vitro models, together with a combination of genetic, microbiological, biochemical, transcriptomic, proteomic, cellular and structural methods, will be used.