Development of genetically encoded fluorescent K+ probes

Applicants Professor Dr. Nikolaus Plesnila; Professor Dr. Markus Rehberg
Subject Area Biochemistry
Anatomy and Physiology
Molecular Biology and Physiology of Neurons and Glial Cells
Cell Biology
Term from 2018 to 2023
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 394221884
 

Project Description

Potassium ions (K+) accumulate within cells, the smallest units of life - a process, which is essential for the regulation of cellular key functions. K+ fluxes across the plasma membranes of excitable cells such as neurons, muscle- and gland cells are vital for their specific cell functions. Hence, an imbalance of the K+ homeostasis has profound implication at the cellular- and organismal level and is associated with a plethora of diseases including cardio-vascular-, neurological-, muscle-, and metabolic disorders as well as cancer. It is speculated that also within a cell K+ is unequally distributed among cellular compartments and respective intracellular K+ fluxes fundamentally contribute to cell functions and dysfunctions. Furthermore it is hypothesized that tiniest subcellular K+ signals have huge implications in cell physiology and pathology. However, our understanding in this regard is very limited due to the lack of suitable methods that allow monitoring K+ fluxes with high spatial and temporal resolution. This research project aims to develop novel fluorescent K+ biosensors that can be targeted to cellular organelles and subdomains of cells. Accordingly, the novel fluorescent probes will enable real-time recordings of local subcellular K+ signals and, thus, will allow investigating intracellular K+ fluxes to gain our understanding of the signaling role of this fundamental ion in health and diseases.
DFG Programme Research Grants
International Connection Austria
Cooperation Partners Professor Dr. Wolfgang Graier; Professor Roland Malli