Abstract
Using the resources of the Technical Reserve for Institutional Infrastructure according to the rules specified by FAPESP. (AU)
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Shaker Chuck Farah
CV Lattes
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Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Química (IQ) (Institutional affiliation for the last research proposal) Birthplace: Israel
Graduated in Biochemsitry and Chemistry (1985) and received his Masters in Biochemistry (1988) at the University of Toronto. He received his PhD in Biochemistry from Universidade de São Paulo (1994) where he is now a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry. His research interests focus on understanding the structural basis of important biological and behavioral processes in bacteria using the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri as a model. Specific systems under study are 1) signaling pathways involving the important second messenger cyclic diGMP that controls complex behaviours such as the production of virulence factors, motility and biofilm formation, 2) The structure and regulation of the type IV pilus, used by Xantthomonas to migrate across solid surfaces and to organize biofilm structures. 3) The Xanthomonas Type IV secretion system that mediates the transfer of bacterial toxins to the cells of other bacterial species, 4) Quorum sensing, the means by which members of a bacterial population coordinate their behavior in a manner dependent on cell density. His studies combine a variety of approaches including protein crystallography, Cryo-EM and NMR, other spectroscopic techniques, enzymology, fluorescence microscopy, the production and characterization of Xanthomonas knock-out strains and the analysis of protein interaction networks. (Source: Lattes Curriculum)
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Research grants
- Plan for Application of Technical Reserve Financial Resources for Institutional Infrastructure granted in 2020., AP.RT.INST
- Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2017/17303-7: single tilt cryotransfer holder, AP.EMU
Abstract
Once installed, these accessories will enable us to analyze CryoEM samples at the Institute of Chemistry, USP. This set of accessories will be installed in JEOL transmission electron microscope model JEM-2100 (with high-resolution pole piece EM-20720) which is currently located at the Analytical Center of the Institute of Chemistry of USP. A) The cryoholder will allow the transfer of up t…
- Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2017/17303-7: vitrification robot, AP.EMU
Abstract
Vitrobot (Vitrification Robot) is a fully PC controlled device for vitrification (rapid cooling) of aqueous samples deposited on a cryo-EM grid. The instrument is designed to consistently produce excellent specimens for cryo-electron microscopy. The immersion, stain and vitrification process is fully automated after placing a vial in the chamber and installing the coolant container. The o…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
- The role of the com system in biofilm development mediated by the type IV pilus in Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, AV.EXT
Abstract
Xanthomonas citri subsp citri is a bacterial phytopathogen that causes citrus canker disease, one of significant economic importance around the world. X. citri spreads from affected plants to healthy plants mainly through rain and wind and has the ability to survive for long periods on different surfaces usually due to the formation of biofilms. The bacterial biofilm is a highly regulated…
- Institutional overhead IQUSP for research infrastructure (2015), AP.RT.INST
Abstract
Since 2006, the Institute of Chemistry has divided the Institutional Overhead in three general categories (1) equipment, (2) services and (3) consumables, in common accord between the Director of the Institute and the Department Heads. In this present project, we are following the same philosophy which proved to be both efficient and flexible in the past. The planned budget of spending fo…
- Cyclic di-GMP signaling and the Type IV macromolecule secretion system in Xanthomonas citri, AP.TEM
Abstract
In this Project we propose to develop two lines of research into the biology of the phytopathogen Xanthomonas citri (Xac), the causative agent of citrus canker. i) Metabolism of the second messenger c-di-GMP: synthesis, degradation and receptors. Bacteria can adopt multiple lifestyles. At one extreme, individual cells can undergo planktonic growth in liquid medium in which they use flagel…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
Scholarships in Brazil
- Conjugative Type IV secretion systems in the Xanthomonadaceae family: Investigating structure-function diversity, BP.PD
Abstract
Type IV Secretion systems (T4SS) are macromolecular protein complexes in bacteria which, encompassing the membranes, mediate the exchange of DNA and protein effectors to target cells, playing a key role in conjugation, bacterial competition, eukaryotic cell invasion and immune system evasion in different species. In the last fifteen years, our group have been studying the role of bacteria…
- Studies on the type IV secretion system toxins (X-Tfes) and antitoxins (XTfis), BP.DD
Abstract
The X. citri toxins (called XVIPs or X-Tfes) are highly diverse in size and architecture (fig. 9 of the main thematic project) but all have a conserved C-terminal domain, termed XVIPCD, which is necessary for their interaction with the VirD4 coupling protein (Alegria et al., 2005). Ten of the thirteen proteins shown in Figure 9 seem to be potentially bona-fide toxins, since, in addition t…
- Isolation and structural studies on the Xanthomonas citri Type IV pilus and T4SS pilus, BP.PD
Abstract
The pili of T2SS, T3SS, T4SS and T4P mediate the attachment of bacteria to other structures which can be other cells, phages or inanimate surfaces. This attachment can often lead to the transfer of virulence factors, invasion by a phage or the formation of biofilms. Type IV pili are specialized versions type II secretion systems (T2SSs) that translocate folded proteins from the periplasm …
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
- The R-bodies of Xanthomonas citri, BP.IC
Abstract
R-bodies are insoluble, proteinaceous bodies that form cylindrical bundles that can reversibly unwind and wind in response to specific conditions such as pH, ionic strength, the presence or absence of certain ions and temperature. This protein structure was initially observed in obligate endosymbiotic bacteria of the species Caedibacter taeniospiralis (called Kappa particles) in "killer" …
- Structural and functional characterization of Xanthomonas citri type IV secretion system., BP.PD
Abstract
Bacteria uses different secretion systems for protein transportation to others bacteria, to eukaryotic cells or to be secreted in the extracellular medium. Among them, type IV secretion system, T4SS, is perhaps the most versatile, being present in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; it is also capable to transport protein-DNA complexes, mediating horizontal gene transfer, an im…
- Study of the role of type IV secretion system of Xanthomonas citri and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in the interaction with Dictyostelium discoideum., BP.PD
Abstract
Bacterial secretion systems are versatile structures that can secrete proteins and DNA into the extracellular medium or into target cells. Type IV secretion systems (T4SS) are protein complexes formed by 12 proteins (VirB1-VirB11 and VirD4) that play a fundamental role in the virulence of several bacterial species. In the last ten years, our laboratory has been studying interactions invol…
(Only some records are available in English at this moment)
Scholarships abroad
- Structural Characterization of Xanthomonas citri Inner Membrane Complex of the Type IV Secretion System, BE.EP.PD
Abstract
Bacteria use different secretion systems for protein transportation into other bacteria, eukaryotic cells or for secretion to the extracellular medium. Among them, the type IV secretion system, T4SS, is perhaps the most versatile, being present in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, being also capable of transporting protein-DNA complexes, in this way mediating horizontal gene …
- Single particle Cryo-EM studies of the structure of the T4SS core complex from Xanthomonas citri, BE.EP.PD
Abstract
One of the main objectives of this postdoctoral project is to obtain structural information regarding the Xac Type IV Secretion System core complex, which forms the pore through both the inner and outer membrane layers of the bacterial envelope. This complex is made up of 14 copies each of VirB7, VirB9, and VirB10 subunits. Due to the core complex's large size (~1.2 MDa) and association w…
Total / Available in English
| 6 / 6 | Ongoing research grants |
| 14 / 8 | Completed research grants |
| 4 / 4 | Ongoing scholarships in Brazil |
| 35 / 11 | Completed scholarships in Brazil |
| 2 / 2 | Completed scholarships abroad |
| 61 / 31 | All research grants and scholarships |
| Associated processes | |
- Adriana Aparecida Paulucci
- Aurea Denise de Sousa Soller Ferreira
- Luis Marcelo Fernandes Holthauzen
- Maria Claudia Pereda Rosa
- Maxuel de Oliveira Andrade
- Cristiane Rodrigues Guzzo Carvalho
- Germán Gustavo Sgro
- Bruno Yasui Matsuyama
- Sandro Fernandes Ataide
- Marcos Castanheira Alegria
- Rosana de Oliveira
- Eric Kors Vidsiunas