How Legionnaires' bacteria modify host cell proteins
Structure and Function of Legionella pneumophila Lysine Methyltransferases
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11285249
This project looks at bacterial enzymes that change proteins in infected immune cells, to learn how Legionnaires' disease takes hold.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11285249 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, scientists are studying two Legionella enzymes called RomA and LegAS4 that alter host cell chromatin. They will determine the enzymes' three-dimensional structures and use biochemical and structural methods to see exactly which parts of histone proteins are modified. The team will also use infected host cells, including environmental amoebae and lung macrophages, to measure how these modifications change gene activity and promote bacterial replication. Together these experiments aim to explain how the enzymes help Legionella evade immune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project is laboratory-based and is not recruiting patients; it uses bacterial proteins and infected cell models rather than enrolling people.
Not a fit: People currently sick with Legionnaires' disease should not expect direct treatment benefit from this lab-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug or vaccine targets to prevent or limit Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work showed RomA can trimethylate histone H3 and that deleting RomA reduces bacterial replication, but the detailed molecular mechanisms and roles of LegAS4 are still novel questions.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TRIEVEL, RAYMOND C — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: TRIEVEL, RAYMOND C
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.