Molecular analysis of candidate probiotic effector molecules of Lactobacillus plantarum

Probiotics are health-promoting microorganisms that exert their beneficial effects in several ways. While it is known that probiotic bacteria interact with cells of the host gastrointestinal tractand modulate cell-signaling responses by which they might promote health, the underlying molecular mechanism and probiotic “effector” molecules that are responsible for these effects remain largely unexplored. In this thesis, effector molecules of the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum were discovered that interact with diverse host cell types and manipulate cell-associated signaling pathways. This work represents crucial steps to better understand the exact mode of probiotic action, which is a prerequisite for their controlled, safe, purpose-directed, and person-specific applications in the context of health improvement and disease prevention.