Scientific Program

Interactions with the environment

RESEARCH GROUP

Bacterial cell envelope during preseptal growth

Manuel Pazos Don Pedro

By integrating molecular biology and biochemistry approaches alongside various microscopy techniques, our goal is to characterize the molecular mechanisms driving the biogenesis of bacterial cell envelopes, particularly focusing on the preseptal stage. Employing Escherichia coli as a model organism, we seek to gain deeper insights into the crucial role that cell envelope architecture and integrity play in the pathogenicity of Gram-negative bacteria.

Research

A major and essential structural component of the cell envelope of most bacteria is the peptidoglycan sacculus, and its synthesis is by far the most antibiotic-targeted process. In Gram-negative bacteria, the thin and net-like peptidoglycan layer is surrounded by an asymmetric and hydrophobic lipid bilayer (the outer membrane), which acts as a permeability barrier against external agents like many clinically used antibiotics. During the bacterial cell cycle both peptidoglycan and membrane biogenesis machineries are coordinated and regulated to ensure the robust growth of the cell envelope and the viability of the cell. Contrary to cell elongation and cell division, the transition between both stages called preseptal growth – synthesis of cell envelope at the division site before septation – remains poorly characterized.

The research in the laboratory focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the biogenesis of the bacterial cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria, using gastrointestinal pathogenic organisms. Using a multidisciplinary approach combining genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and different microscopy techniques we aim to identify and characterize the protein interactions and their impact on the peptidoglycan enzymatic activities, the mechanical and structural properties of the cell envelope, and the impact on virulence.

Group members

Manuel Pazos Don Pedro

Lab.: 107 Ext.: 4506
mpazos(at)cbm.csic.es

Daniel Ballesteros San José

Lab.: 107 Ext.: 4530
dballesteros(at)cbm.csic.es

Aitana Belloso Casuso

Lab.: 107 Ext.: 4530
abelloso(at)cbm.csic.es

Selected publications

Z-ring membrane anchors associate with cell wall synthases to initiate bacterial cell division

Manuel Pazos et al.

Peptidoglycan

Manuel Pazos et al.

SPOR Proteins Are Required for Functionality of Class A Penicillin-Binding Proteins in Escherichia coli

Manuel Pazos et al.

Peptidoglycan maturation controls outer membrane protein assembly

Gideon Mamou et al.

Latest publications

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