FORTSCHRITTSBERICHT JAHR 2006 - Helmholtz-Zentrum für ...

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Fortschrittsbericht 2006 HZI
RG Cytoskeleton Dynamics (CYD)
Head: Dr. Klemens Rottner
The scientific goals of the group are to understand the molecular mechanisms driving dynamic
actin rearrangements, with a special emphasis on the interaction of selected bacterial
pathogens with their hosts. These studies are based on the observation that certain bacterial
pathogens exploit actin rearrangements in order to invade their hosts, some of which like Listeria
monocytogenes, or Shigella flexneri are also capable of directly recruiting parts of the
actin polymerisation machinery in order to propel themselves through the cytosol. Current
work is driven by detailed characterisations of already available and newly generated cell
lines carrying genetic deletions of specific actin regulators.
RG Microbial Communication (KOM)
Head: PD Dr. Irene Wagner-Döbler
Microbial cell-to-cell communication is mediated by chemical signals called autoinducers.
These are small diffusible molecules secreted by bacteria into the medium and sensed by the
surrounding bacteria. They act as transcriptional regulators and control important traits like
luminescence, biofilm development, production of virulence factors, conjugation, competence,
and synthesis of antibiotics. The group is elucidating the basic mechanisms of bacterial
communication with the aim to identify small moleculaes that can interfere with this process
and thus be used as a new type of antibiotics.
RG Signalling and Motility (SIM)
Head: Dr. Theresia Stradal
The projection of cellular protrusions such as lamellipodia and/or filopodia is an essential
prerequisite for cell motility and for cellular processes. The group aims at unravelling the molecular
mechanisms driving these processes, together with the signal transduction pathways
eliciting them, in particular the role of the Rho-family of small GTPases, which are involved
in the induction of lamellipodia and filopodia. The importance of these processes is underscored
by the fact that Rho GTPase pathways serve as frequent targets of manipulation by
bacterial virulence factors.
RG Immuneregulation (IREG)
Head: Dr. Dunja Bruder
Utilizing a transgenic mouse model for T cell mediated lung disease the Immune Regulation
group (IREG) focuses on the characterization of the complex interaction of different immune
cell populations (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, Type II alveolar epithelial cells and alveolar Dendritic
Cells) under autoimmune conditions. These studies will be extended on mice infected
with Influenza A virus. The aim is to improve our understanding of basic mechanisms underlying
autoimmune disease and peripheral tolerance induction. In this context we also aim at
improving therapeutic approaches to interfere with autoreactive T cell responses that are
based on the induction of regulatory T cells by antigen targeting of immature Dendritic Cells.