(p)ppGpp is a widespread second messenger best known as alarmone that alerts the cell to starvation conditions and leads to major re-arrangements in bacterial physiology. However, the signaling molecule affects numerous other pathways, among them the growth-rate controlled proteolysis of LpxC, an essential enzyme for lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis.

The project aims at the identification of ppGpp-binding proteins with a focus on enzymes involved in LPS and phospholipid biosynthesis. Overall, we expect to provide new insights into the comprehensive role of ppGpp in physiological adaptations of E. coli.