Ultra-structure of the plasma membrane harbouring MLKL oligomers and MLKL-mediated Ca2+ influx during plant and animal immunogenic cell death (B07)

• Subject Area: Plant Biochemistry and Biophysics ; Biochemistry ; Biophysics ; Cell Biology
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 414786233

The discovery of a new protein family in seed plants that is structurally and functionally homologous to animal Mixed lineage kinase domain-like (MLKL) protein, the executioner of necroptosis in animal cells, provided evidence that similar mechanisms may induce plasma membrane permeabilisation in plants and animals. This project aims to understand the molecular principles of MLKL-mediated cell death and immunity by determining and comparing the nanoscale organisation and cellular dynamics of this protein family in plant and animal cells.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1403: Cell Death in Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität zu Köln
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Jijie Chai, until 3/2023; Professorin Dr. Ana Jesús Garcia Sáez; Takaki Maekawa, Ph.D.