How Legionella bacteria change human proteins with unusual ubiquitin chemistry
Mechanism of atypical ubiquitination and deubiquitination by bacterial effectors
Researchers are learning how the Legionnaires' bacterium uses an uncommon chemical tagging process to alter proteins inside human cells so we can better understand how the infection hijacks cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Purdue University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Lafayette, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158750 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Scientists will study bacterial enzymes from Legionella pneumophila that add and remove a modified form of ubiquitin on host proteins, focusing on enzymes called SdeA, SidJ, DupA and DupB. They will use purified proteins, biochemical assays, and cell-based experiments to map each chemical step in this nonstandard ubiquitination pathway. Structural and biochemical work will show how the tags are attached and removed and how that changes host processes like vesicle trafficking and autophagy. The goal is to reveal weak points in the bacterial strategy that could be targeted by future treatments or diagnostics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who have or recently recovered from Legionnaires' disease, or who can provide respiratory or blood samples for research, would be most relevant for any related patient-facing work.
Not a fit: Patients with unrelated non-bacterial respiratory conditions or those never exposed to Legionella are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify new drug targets or strategies to block Legionella from hijacking human cells, helping to prevent or treat Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory work has already uncovered this unconventional ubiquitination mechanism and related bacterial enzymes, but converting those findings into therapies has not yet been achieved.
Where this research is happening
West Lafayette, United States
- Purdue University — West Lafayette, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Das, Chittaranjan — Purdue University
- Study coordinator: Das, Chittaranjan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.