LAC-T7

LAC-T7

Functional analysis of the type VIIb secretion system and its LXG effectors in the bioprotective strain Lactococcus carnosus (ex piscium) CNCM I-4031 [MICA exploratory project]

Objectives:

This project aims to decipher the contact inhibition mechanisms implemented by Lactococcus carnosus CNCM I-4031, a lactic acid bacterium used for the biopreservation of seafood products. This strain inhibits the growth of pathogenic and spoilage bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes and Brochothrix thermosphacta through an atypical mechanism dependent on cell-cell contact, without producing conventional antimicrobial compounds. Genomic analyses have revealed the presence of a type VII secretion system (T7SS) and LXG-type proteins, which are potentially responsible for this inhibition. The project aims to characterize the expression of these effectors and study their role in interbacterial competition and the ability of L. carnosus to colonize food matrices such as seafood products.

Start date: January 2025

Duration: 2 years

Coordination: Raouf Tareb, Lecturer-researcher at SECALIM

Funding: MICA INRAE exploratory project