Untersuchung von proteinabbauenden Prozessen im endoplasmatischen Retikulum von Pflanzen
Abstract
In all eukaryotes the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has a central role in protein biosynthesis and maturation. Protein folding in the ER involves the formation of disulfide bridges and glycosylation. During these processes misfolded or unnecessary proteins can accumulate which endanger the cellular homeostasis and subsequently the survival of organisms. Consequently, cells have developed a quality control system in the ER to cope with this problem. This system involves the activation of molecular chaperones that assist protein folding and the recognition and elimination of aberrant proteins by ER-associated degradation (ERAD). ERAD of aberrant glycoproteins involves a highly specialized machinery, which in its basic form is conserved in all eukaryotes. Recent data suggest, however, that glycan-dependent ERAD in plants is controlled by a specific mechanism that involves distinct alpha-mannosidases. Here in this project, we will perform an in depth analysis of the molecular events that cause glycan-dependent ERAD of a well-defined glycoprotein substrate in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our findings will help to understand ER quality control and its relationship to ER degradation pathways in plants and might in the future lead to new strategies to increase the fitness of plants under adverse environmental conditions.
keywords glycosylation endoplasmic reticulum protein quality control protein degradation Arabidopsis thaliana
Publikationen
Project staff
Richard Strasser
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Richard Strasser
richard.strasser@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-94345
Project Leader
01.09.2015 - 31.10.2019