Nanoarchitecture of supramolecular CFTR clusters

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hermann Schillers
• Subject Area: Anatomy and Physiology
• Term: from 2002 to 2004
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5351821

The ion channel and regulator protein CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) causes cystics fibrosis when mutated. CFTR is known to be associated with various membrane proteins regulating their function. It is the aim of this project to identify the structural and functional components of these CFTR associated protein families (clusters) by a combination of molecular biological, electrophysiological and "atomic force" microscopical techniques. The focus is on a membrane associated cluster that probably consists of CFTR, a chloride channel and a purinergic receptor. This assembly should trigger secretion of ATP to the cell surface with subsequent cell activation. Since cluster structure and function are expected to be intimately related, spatial identification of the protein components on the cell surface appears crucial. As expression models we will use Xenopus laevis oocyte and cultured epithelium. Clusters (CFTR, chloride channel and purinergic receptor) shall be detected in plasma membrane of living cells by confocal microscopy and patch clamp techniques. In the focus of the project is cluster imaging in the isolated plasma membrane ("nanoarchitecture") by means of Atomic Force Microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Hans Oberleithner