Objective
DNA double-strand breaks are perhaps the most harmful DNA damages and result in carcinogenic chromosome aberrations. Cells protect their genome by activating a complex signaling and repair network, collectively denoted DNA damage response (DDR). A key initial step of the DDR is the activation of the 360 kDa checkpoint kinase ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) by the multifunctional DSB repair factor Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN). MRN senses and tethers DSBs, processes DSBs for further resection, and recruits and activates ATM to trigger the DDR. A mechanistic basis for the activities of the core DDR sensor MRN has not been established, despite intense research over the past decade. Our recent breakthroughs on structures of core Mre11-Rad50 and Mre11-Nbs1 complexes enable us now address three central questions to finally clarify the mechanism of MRN in the DDR:
- How does MRN interact with DNA or DNA ends in an ATP dependent manner?
- How do MRN and associated factors such as CtIP process blocked DNA ends?
- How do MRN and DNA activate ATM?
We will employ an innovative structural biology hybrid methods approach by combining X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy and small angle scattering with crosslink mass spectrometry and combine the structure-oriented techniques with validating in vitro and in vivo functional studies. The anticipated outcome will clarify the structural mechanism of one of the most important but enigmatic molecular machineries in maintaining genome stability and also help understand the molecular defects associated with several prominent cancer predisposition and neurodegenerative disorders.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
- natural sciences biological sciences molecular biology structural biology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
ERC-2012-ADG_20120314
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Host institution
80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.