# Regulated Proteolysisin Bacteria Development and Stress Response

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST · 2020 · $92,389

## Abstract

Project Summary.
Regulated proteolysis controls the quality and quantity of proteins. In bacteria, energy dependent proteases
eliminate aberrant proteins by recognizing distinctive marks arising from failed quality control, such as
inappropriately exposed hydrophobic regions of proteins or specific tags attached upon prolonged translational
arrest. These same machines also control levels and dynamics of fully active, well-folded proteins in order to
properly manage molecular processes ranging from cell cycle progression to DNA damage. In this proposed
work, we will focus on two major proteases systems that are found throughout bacteria and are crucial for
virulence in human pathogens. First, we will determine how a newly discovered adaptor hierarchy controls the
delivery of key proteins to the ClpXP protease during bacteria development and growth using structural,
biochemical and genetic strategies. Second, we will uncover how the Lon protease, long known for its role in
protein quality control, regulates stress responses and morphological changes building using systems-level
approaches. By deciphering how bacteria govern the specificity and activity of these proteases at a
mechanistic and cellular level, we will gain critical insight into a pathway that can be targeted by much needed
new antibiotic strategies.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10154565
- **Project number:** 3R35GM130320-02S2
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Chien
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $92,389
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10154565

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10154565, Regulated Proteolysisin Bacteria Development and Stress Response (3R35GM130320-02S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10154565. Licensed CC0.

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