Project description
Post-translational modifications in neuronal transport
The microtubule cytoskeleton is essential for intracellular transport, particularly in neurons where cargos must travel long distances. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of tubulin, such as polyglutamylation, modulate microtubule function and adapt it to specific cellular needs. Disturbed polyglutamylation is linked to neurodegeneration, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the AxTransCode project investigates how polyglutamylation affects microtubule-based transport in neurons. Researchers will associate varied polyglutamylation levels in primary neurons with cargo distribution and dynamics. Results will provide mechanistic insight into how tubulin PTMs regulate neuronal homeostasis and may explain their critical role in neurodegenerative disease.
Objective
The microtubule cytoskeleton plays crucial roles in regulating a vast range of biological processes in different cell types, in particular in neurons that strongly depend on intracellular transport for cargo delivery over long distances. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) of tubulin recently emerged as modulators of microtubule properties and functions, which is expected to dynamically adapt them to specific cellular functions. Neuronal microtubules are strongly enriched in the PTM polyglutamylation, which was shown to affect the transport of different cargos. Strikingly, perturbed polyglutamylation causes neurodegeneration in mice and humans. How the impact of polyglutamylation on neuronal microtubules translates into such drastic physiological effects is, however, not understood. In my project I aim at determining how polyglutamylation affects physiological functions that are driven by microtubule-based transport in neurons. I will use primary neurons with different levels and patterns of tubulin polyglutamylation and a novel CRISPR/Cas9 technology to endogenously label cargos. Super-resolution microscopy techniques will be applied to precisely determine how this PTM temporally and spatially regulates cargo distribution to their target sites, and how this contributes to neuronal homeostasis. The proposed work will provide a mechanistic understanding of how tubulin PTMs control the physiological roles of the microtubule cytoskeleton at cellular level. This will expand our knowledge of the role of the tubulin code in regulating organism homeostasis, which might provide a mechanistic explanation for its role in neurodegeneration.
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: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences neurobiology
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology homeostasis
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
75231 Paris
France
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.