Modular proteins as organizers in the actin cytoskeleton: Integrators of functions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Christoph S. Clemen
• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: from 2009 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 139304761

The use of modular proteins allows the involvement of these components in many different cellular reactions. The modules that have been defined in cytoskeletal proteins involve PH, SH3, PDZ and WD40 domains. Proteins containing such motifs form the basis of molecular complexes that organize cellular signalling and assemble components into functional units. Here, we concentrate on the coronin family of WD40 domain containing proteins. Mammalian and Dictyostelium discoideum short coronin proteins generally are important regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and influence cell migration, endocytosis and phagocytosis, and cytokinesis, while the single short yeast coronin CRNll additionally interacts with microtubules. Apart from that several coronins, particularly long coronins of the CRN7 subfamily, have been shown to participate in vesicular transport. Goal of the proposed studies is the analysis of the molecular mechanisms, interactions with cellular components, regulation of activity, and elucidation of the in vivo roles of coronin proteins using the mammalian short CRN2 and long CRN7 as well as Dictyostelium discoideum CRN7.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants