Aquaporins as facilitator for CO2 diffusion

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ralf Kaldenhoff
• Subject Area: Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics
• Term: from 2007 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 39870975

Cellular CO2 diffusion is significant for the survival of the majority of living organisms. No matter if CO2 has to be disposed as a spin-off product from catalytic reactions of e.g. animals or is required for carbon assimilation of photosynthetic processes, it has to pass cellular membranes. Recent findings indicate that besides membrane bilayer diffusion, an aquaporin facilitated CO2 transport is likely. Despite its importance, the mechanism of this aquaporin related CO2 transport is unclear. Our previous studies suggested for a structure build by an aquaporin tetramer as one of two essential functional components. The other structure is represented in the protein’s amino terminus. The objective of this proposal is to identify and characterize these protein regions by selective modifications of protein sites and subsequent functional analysis in a yeast expression system. The results of this project will establish a picture about the molecular mechanism of aquaporin mediated CO2 diffusion. They will contribute to our understanding of this diffusion process, which is relevant for life.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants