Objective Autophagy is a bulk cellular degradation pathway in which double-membrane vesicles engulfe large and long-lived cytoplasmic structures and target them to lysosomal compartments. Employing an integrated structural biology approach using single-particle cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography, this proposal aims to elucidate the structural details by which the autophagosomal recognition machinery identifies and assembles its cargo for targeting to autophagosomes. It has recently become apparent that selective autophagy requires specific receptors that recognize and recruit defined cargo into molecular assemblies and target them for autophagosomal degradation. Dysfunction of this process is implicated in a number of important human pathologies, such as cancer, neurodegeneration and myopathies. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying selective autophagy requires the structural characterization of the molecular complexes involved in this process. First, the ultrastructural architecture of homo-oligomeric receptor assemblies will be established. Second, the structural organization of cargo-receptor complexes will be defined for a hetero-oligomeric, mechanosensitive model complex involved in muscle homeostasis using a combination of cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. Third, oligomeric changes of cargo-receptor assemblies will be related to cellular function. In its aim to establish a multi-resolution view on the molecular principles of selective autophagy, this proposal has the potential to fundamentally advance our current understanding of this important degradation pathway. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesneurobiologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallographymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologyhomeostasisnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologystructural biology Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF - Marie-Curie Action: "Intra-European fellowships for career development" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY EU contribution € 161 968,80 Address Meyerhofstrasse 1 69117 Heidelberg Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Jillian Rowe (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
