Project description
Mitochondrial contact sites with cell membranes and EGFR signalling
Contact sites between cellular organelles create microdomains with specific signalling as an additional layer of regulation. The EU-funded EGFRtoMITO project is working under the hypothesis that the interface comprising the plasma membrane (PM), the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria represents a functional unit where direct cross-communication between epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling and mitochondria takes place. Previously, the project partners showed that EGFR internalisation via non-clathrin endocytosis results in receptor degradation and signal extinction while leading to the formation of contact sites between the PM, the ER and the mitochondria, where EGF-dependent localised Ca2+ signalling occurs. The hypothesis verification will shed light on the impact of EGFR signalling on cellular functions newly linked to this pathway and possibly affecting cellular energetics and metabolism.
Objective
The integration of distinct internalization routes is crucial to determine the fate of plasma membrane (PM) receptors and the output of their signalling pathways. Contact sites between cellular organelles adds a further layer of regulation by creating microdomains that favour different signalling and metabolic pathways. These regulatory mechanisms are relevant to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We found that EGFR internalization through non-clathrin endocytosis (NCE) leads primarily to receptor degradation and signal extinction, while clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME) is mainly involved in EGFR recycling and sustaining signalling. Notably, internalization via NCE involves the formation of contact sites between the PM, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria, where EGF-dependent localized Ca2+ signalling occurs.
The founding hypothesis of this proposal is that the PM-ER-mitochondrial interface could represent a functional unit where direct cross-communication between EGFR signalling and mitochondria takes place. To investigate this hypothesis, we will use a three-tiered strategy aimed at elucidating:
1. the EGFR-dependent signalling that leads to NCE-ER-mitochondrial contact site formation and to local Ca2+ release, and the role of these contacts in EGFR endocytosis, signalling and fate;
2. the crosstalk between EGFR signalling and mitochondrial function at the PM-ER-mitochondrial interface by analysing the impact of EGFR-NCE on mitochondrial physiology and metabolism;
3. the relevance of NCE-ER-mitochondrial crosstalk to EGF-dependent cell physiological responses, e.g. migration, proliferation and differentiation, by exploiting isogenic cell derivatives from embryonic/pluripotent stem cells or ex vivo organoid cultures.
The verification of this hypothesis will expand our understanding of the impact of EGFR signalling on cellular functions not previously linked to this pathway and possibly impinging on cellular energetics and metabolism.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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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.
ERC-COG - Consolidator Grant
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-COG
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20122 Milano
Italy
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