The extracellular proteome of Sulfolobus
PhD ceremony: Mr. A.F. Ellen, 16.15 uur, Aula Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Dissertation: The extracellular proteome of Sulfolobus
Promotor(s): prof. A.J.M. Driessen
Faculty: Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Microorganisms secrete proteins in their environment that fulfill numerous functions. I made an inventory of the extracellular proteins in a group of microorganisms, called Sulfolobus, which live at 80°C and under acidic conditions. As it turns out Sulfolobus secretes relatively little protein into their environment. However, I discovered that vesicles that are released into their surrounding by Sulfolobus are associated with so-called ESCRT proteins. In higher organisms the ESCRT proteins are involved in cell division but they also play a role in creating vesicles in a cellular organel that is called the endosome. My research suggests that the roles of the ESCRT proteins are similar in Sulfolobus and higher organisms. I also discovered that two Sulfolbus species produce antimicrobial compounds that in the case of the species Sulfolobus tokodaii are associated with the extracellular vesicles. The identity of the antimicrobial compounds was previously not known in Sulfolobus but I discover the two proteins that are responsible for the antimicrobial activity. Both proteins are required for antimicrobial activity and they seem to represent a completely new group of antimicrobial proteins. Which of those two proteins is the actual antimicrobial protein remains to be discovered.
| Last modified: | 15 September 2017 3.41 p.m. |
More news
-
17 April 2019
Why lightning often strikes twice
In contrast to popular belief, lightning often does strike twice, but the reason why a lightning channel is ‘reused’ has remained a mystery. Now, an international research team led by the University of Groningen has used the LOFAR radio telescope to...
-
16 April 2019
Still going strong after four decades
On March 29th professor of Applied Physics Jeff de Hosson was offered a farewell symposium, a few months after his official retirement date near the close of 2018. ‘But 29 March was the 100th birthday of Jan Francken, my predecessor.’ Besides, De Hosson...
-
11 April 2019
Ben Feringa in orbit around the Sun
Dozens of minor planets that used to orbit the Sun anonymously were named by the International Astronomical Union on 6 April 2019. The asteroid that used to be known as ‘minor planet 12655’ was named after Prof. Ben Feringa, winner of the 2016 Nobel...