Activity 1.1.1.9 “Post-doctoral Research” of the Specific Objective 1.1.1 “Strengthening research and innovative capacities and introduction of advanced technologies in the common R&D system” of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021-2027
Project title: Unique features in B. burgdorferi flagella: structural characterization of flagellar collar and motor proteins
Project No.: 1.1.1.9/LZP/1/24/078
Period: 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2028
Project costs: The total eligible costs of the research proposal are EUR 184 140,00 of which EUR 156 519,00 is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Principal Investigator: PhD Dagnija Tupiņa
Project summary:
Lyme disease causal agent B. burgdorferi has periplasmic flagella that not only propel the bacterium through the environment, but also maintains the cell shape. The flagellar motor is surrounded by a unique, spirochete-only structure called the flagellar collar that supports assembly of the rotor and stator structures. Proteins forming the collar have recently been identified, but the interactions between collar and rotor and stator proteins need to be studied in detail. In addition, B. burgdorferi has larger stoichiometry than model organisms and two distinct copies of motor protein FliG demonstrating unique evolutionary adapatations throughout the relatively conserved flagellar structure. X-ray chrystallography, cryo electron microscopy, biochemistry and molecular dynamics simulations will be employed to characterize unique features of B. burgdorferi flagellum. This will clarify the roles of collar proteins and provide detailed understanding of B. burgdorferi flagellum that would potentially allow to specifically target the pathogen’s flagella assembly and thus compromise the integrity of the cell.
Research subfield, key words that characterize the research project proposal: Biology field, biochemistry subfield, RIS3 area “Biomedicine, medical technologies and biopharmacy”.
I- Lyme disease, flagellar collar, flagellar motor, protein structure, protein interactions
Information published 01.04.2025.
Progress of the project:
1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025
Expression and purification of the flagellar collar and motor proteins that are the target of structural studies in the project has been tested. Proteins that need further purification condition optimization, addition of solubility improving tags or different construct boundaries have been identified. Relevant optimization strategies are being performed. Proteins that can already be effectively produced are being crystalllized. Diffraction data has been obtained for two proteins and structure building is underway. A one day conference on advances in cryo electron microscopy attended in Vilnius Life Sciences Center, including networking with their cryoEM facility specialists. Participance in Shadow Day introduced school pupils with work in laboratory and participation in European Researcher’s Night events informed attendants about Lyme borreliosis and explained the need for structural research of Borrelia proteins.
Information published 30.09.2025.