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Content archived on 2024-06-18

Structural and kinetic basis of evolutionary conserved and divergent microtubule plus end tracking mechanisms

Objective

In eukaryotic cells the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton is of crucial importance for many essential cellular functions. The determination of cell morphology, intracellular transport, chromosome segregation in mitosis, and cell motility belong to the processes carried out by MTs. Aberrant cell morphology, developmental diseases and promotion of malignant transformations in animal cells are results of failures in these processes. The dynamically growing plus end of MTs is of special interest as it serves as a cellular hub integrating signals needed to regulate the MT cytoskeleton and its functions. Due to the plus end’s highly dynamic nature and the complexity of protein-protein interactions at the end, it is still unclear which structural transitions take place at microtubule ends and which structures are recognized by regulatory proteins that bind the growing ends selectively. This project aims at a mechanistic understanding of selective targeting of specialized proteins to microtubule ends that exhibit diverse functions there. Two layers of interactions at microtubule ends are addressed in this proposal: (1) We aim to elucidate the molecular origin for the conserved property of end binding proteins (EBs) to bind autonomously to the growing microtubule plus end region, which provides a dynamic platform for second-layer binding of more divergent proteins. (2) We aim to understand the logics underlying the less conserved interactions of these other microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) with EB-decorated MT ends. These two layers of the MT plus-end binding protein interaction network will be analyzed by a concerted, multidisciplinary experimental approach combining in vitro and in vivo experiments, using quantitative fluorescence microscopy to measure the dynamics of MT end tracking and electron microscopy to gain insight into the structural origin of function.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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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.

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF
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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.

MC-IEF - Intra-European Fellowships (IEF)

Coordinator

CANCER RESEARCH UK LBG
EU contribution
€ 172 240,80
Address
2 Redman Place
E20 1JQ LONDON
United Kingdom

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Region
London Inner London — East Hackney and Newham
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost

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.

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