New Method Sheds Light on Bacterial Calcium Management

In human, animal, and plant cells, calcium ions play a crucial role as messengers. They support the regulation of essential functions like heartbeats, stress reactions, and nerve impulses.

A research team at Umeå University has demonstrated how a protein in Listeria bacteria distributes calcium in a different way than eukaryotic cells (like those in humans or plants). The journal Science Advances published the research.

The protein, known as LMCA1, enables the bacterium—responsible for causing food poisoning—to survive under harsh conditions, such as exposure to the human immune system or the alkaline environments used in commercial food production to eliminate bacteria.

The results are therefore particularly interesting for the development of new drugs against bacterial infections and for the food industry.”

Magnus Andersson, Associate Professor and Study Lead, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University

“Amazing to See”

The group has created a technique for examining how proteins move while carrying out their tasks using synchrotron X-rays. They can now monitor the rate at which the LMCA1 protein alters its structure to transport calcium and track this process, thanks to this technique.

Additionally, they were able to capture LMCA1 at the crucial point in time when the protein binds calcium during cell membrane trafficking.

It was amazing to be able to see this for the first time. By also identifying clear differences between calcium transport in eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, our study has taken an important step toward the development of new antimicrobial strategies and ensuring safety in food production.”

Magnus Andersson, Associate Professor and Study Lead, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University

May Help Prevent Heart Failure

The regulation of calcium in complex creatures such as humans is well understood. However, scientists have only lately started to learn how bacteria, which are primitive single-celled organisms, deal with calcium.

They are devoid of organelles that normally aid in controlling calcium levels, like mitochondria. Even so, bacteria are still able to react to variations in calcium levels, especially when they are stressed, such as when they are exposed to toxins or when they are infected.

Human disorders such as neurological, muscular, and cardiovascular disorders can result from abnormal calcium levels.

It is particularly exciting that the work has also led to funding from the National Institute of Health in the USA, which will finance a new collaboration with the University of Michigan. We will now use the methods we have developed to produce molecules that can activate calcium transport proteins in cases of heart failure.”

Magnus Andersson, Associate Professor and Study Lead, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University