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Projekt Druckansicht

Kryo-elektronenmikroskopische Analyse der Struktur und Dynamik von Proteinkomplexen bei der zellulären Infektion für Herpes simplex

Fachliche Zuordnung Biochemie
Förderung Förderung von 2001 bis 2012
Projektkennung Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 5355607
 
Erstellungsjahr 2013

Zusammenfassung der Projektergebnisse

In the course of the project we applied cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET) – a technique providing unprecedented insights into the cellular architecture at the macromolecular level – and complementary techniques to elucidated structural changes of macromolecular complexes in the course of the herpesvirus-host interaction. Being pioneers in cellular electron cryo tomography of host-pathogen interactions we established a number of dedicated cellular and subcellular investigation systems enabling the analysis of the interactions at different levels of complexity and resolution. These range from rather complex and close to native native systems like the use of dissociated hippocampal neurons for studying intracellular transport, via synaptosomes for virus entry studies, to liposome entry experiments and more reduced systems like display of isolated membrane proteins on liposomes or on heterologous pseudotyped viruses. These systems adjusted by the group for structural analyses are clearly also of interest and use to other researchers beyond the hostpathogen field. Using Herpes simplex virus 1, the causative agent of cold sores, as a model, we studied the involvement and interaction of macromolecules from both, the virus and the host cell in the course of infection. In that, we focussed on crucial steps in the Herpesvirus’ cellular ‘life cycle’ including virus entry, intracellular transport and virus assembly. By providing native structural information and novel insights into the mechanism of e.g. membrane fusion, we not only contribute to basic research in a human infectious disease, but likewise contribute to understanding central cell biological processes like cellular membrane flow or neurotransmitter release. Integrating this information with results from other techniques enabled a functional characterisation of the underlying dynamic processes. The results published in leading journals have led to a number of follow up research based on both, the technological advances and the biological insights.

Projektbezogene Publikationen (Auswahl)

 
 

Zusatzinformationen

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