Molecular switches in polarized sorting and signaling in intestinal epithelial cells (A09)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 278001972

Establishment of cellular polarity (apical vs. basolateral side) in human intestinal epithelial cell is critical for the barrier and absorptive functions of the gut. The goal of project A09 is to understand the molecular mechanisms that allows epithelial cells to mount an asymmetric immune response permitting the tolerate of the commensal flora at their apical side while remaining fully responsive against invasive enteric pathogens that access their basolateral side. Building on the results gathered in the first funding period, we will now investigate how the clathrin recycling machinery, particularly clathrin light chains drives the establishment of cellular polarity and allows for the formation of this unique polarized immune response.

• DFG Programme: CRC/Transregios
• Subproject of: TRR 186: Molecular Switches: Spatio-temporal Control of Cellular Signal Transmission
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Steeve Boulant; Professor Volker Haucke, Ph.D., until 6/2020