Cellular quality control by mitofusins and ubiquitin (A03)

• Subject Area: Cell Biology
• Term: since 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 269925409

Mitochondrial plasticity contributes to protein quality and neuronal integrity. Mitofusins, mitochondrial fusion factors, can sense and respond to many different stimuli through their ubiquitylation. We recently reported on a ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic stress response at the mitochondrial surface that merges these many different signals into a common cellular response. Now we wish to further explore this quality control pathway and unravel how mitofusins and ubiquitin support cellular triage of damaged mitochondrial components. Our project aims to elucidate molecular mechanisms providing protection to mitochondria under stress.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1218: Mitochondrial regulation of cellular function
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Head: Dr. Mafalda Escobar-Henriques