Structural analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PelD: a c-di-GMP receptor involved in exopolysaccharides biosynthesis and biofilm formation

Abstract

Several bacterial processes, including biofilm formation, virulence and cellular progress, are controlled by a nucleotide-based molecule unique to the microbial world, cyclic dimeric GMP (c-di-GMP). Generally, high intracellular c-di-GMP levels are related to biofilm phenotype, which includes the expression of cellular attachment and exopolysaccharides producing proteins. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a c-di-GMP receptor has been identified to control the exopolysaccharides biosynthesis by the members of the conserved pel operon, directly influencing the biofilm formation capacity of P. aeruginosa. Given the lack of data concerning the molecular basis of this process, this research project aims to elucidate the signaling mechanism mediate by c-di-GMP binding to PelD through the determination of its X-ray tridimensional structure. The potential results from this work will contribute to the understanding of the signaling mechanisms mediated by c-di-GMP and, in the long term, could lead to the development of novel therapies against bacterial infections.