Objective Protein methylation at lysine residues modulates chromatin structure, affects gene expression and mammalian development. Recently, it was also shown to influence the stability and activity of non-histone proteins. Lysine methylation marks manifest their biological effect via so-called ‘readers’ (or reading domains) which recognize and bind the methylation mark and directly alter the chromatin structure or act as a scaffold for other proteins, which induce biological responses. Reading domains include Plant homeodomains (PHD) and Chromodomains (CD) found in many chromatin proteins. KMET-READ plans to investigate the biological role of these reading domains in essential histone lysine methyltransferases - PHDs in MLL2 and MLL3 and CDs in SUV39H1 and SUV39H2. The results obtained here will advance the understanding of chromatin changes in human cells. The proposal will apply an interdisciplinary approach in an international environment to maximize its chances of success: the biological role of reading domains will be evaluated with molecular biology (histone and chromatin pulldowns, ChIP-seq, confocal microscopy), biochemistry (Peptide arrays, mass spectrometry, methyltransferase activity assays) and biophysics techniques (fluorescence anisotropy, circular dichroism spectroscopy) as well as crystallography (solving the structure of reading domains). Importantly, the KMET-READ project will also develop a yeast-3-hybrid method for the identification of new reading domains, which will allow to discover binding partners for just recently characterized new protein methylation marks. This novel method will be patented and introduced into market. All project partners will ensure an efficient dissemination and communication of the results of the KMET-READ project. The project will provide excellent training in research methods and other skills for the fellow that will strongly support her future career and initiate new and sustainable collaborations between the partners. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsproteomicsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallographynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyconfocal microscopynatural scienceschemical sciencesorganic chemistryaminesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2014-EF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2014 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Net EU contribution € 171 460,80 Address Keplerstrasse 7 70174 Stuttgart Germany See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00