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Research group Martin Spiess
Membrane proteins and their transport in the cell
How are membrane proteins correctly assembled in the cell
membrane and transported through the complex network of
organelles in the cell? Errors in protein transport may result in
disease.
Membranes surround our cells and
divide the cell interior into separate
compartments and organelles. They
consist of lipids and embedded
membrane proteins. Our group works
for a better understanding of the
molecular mechanisms of how
Colonies of yeast cells.
membrane proteins are incorporated
into the lipid bilayer and how they
are sorted and transported to their
intended organelles.
Insertion of membrane proteins
We analyze the process of protein integration in living cells (mammalian
cell culture and yeast cells). We challenge the cell with engineered
model membrane proteins or mutate the translocon, the machinery that
catalyzes this process, to find out the molecular mechanisms.
Membrane transport to the cell surface
Proteins are sorted between organelles and transported in membrane
vesicles. Our research focuses on the molecules and mechanisms that
mediate this. In particular, we study the pathways how proteins are
transported to the cell surface and secreted.
Regulated secretion
The peptide hormone vasopressin regulates water retention in the
kidney. Mutations that disturb transport and secretion cause cell death
and lead to the disease diabetes insipidus. They produce protein
aggregations similar to amyloids found in neurological diseases like
Alzheimer's. We are testing the hypothesis that amyloid-like aggregation
is normally involved in the formation of secretory granules for regulated
hormone secretion.
Prof. Dr. Martin Spiess
Biozentrum
University of Basel
Klingelbergstrasse 50 / 70
CH - 4056 Basel
Biozentrum, Room 577A
Phone: +41 61 207 21 64
Email: martin.spiessat-unibas.ch
Curriculum Vitae
Administrative Assistant
Maja Güntensperger-Heckel
Biozentrum, Room 508
Phone: +41 61 207 21 51
Fax: +41 61 207 21 48
Email:
maja.guentenspergerat-unibas.ch
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