Biology of the development of microorganisms: cellular and molecular aspects

• Grant number: 90/03875-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• Duration: August 01, 1991 - July 31, 1995
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry
• Principal Investigator: Hector Francisco Terenzi
• Grantee: Hector Francisco Terenzi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project has the objective of investigating cellular and molecular aspects related to the biology of the development of microorganisms, using as biological models the gram-negative bacteria Caulobacter crescentus, the Blastocadiella emersonii and Neurospora crassa fungi and the myxomycota Dictyostelium discoideum. For this purpose we will investigate some molecular events which are activated during the cellular differentiation of these microorganisms, either at the genetic level, or at the level of post-translation. These studies include the control of the expression of the two heat shock proteins in Caulobacter and of the Kinase protein dependent on cAMP Blastocadiella. In this last fungus we will also investigate the control by fosforilation of the synthesis path of hexosamines and extended to Neurospora, using mutants without walls. The control of Adenylate cyclase will also be studied. In Dictyostelium we will investigate the gp80 protein, which is responsible for aggregation, studying its biogenesis and anchorage in the membrane by an anchor of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI). (AU)