Objective The mechanism of protein translation by ribosomes has been the focus of recent single molecule investigations. Understanding translation at a single-molecule level is of particular interest to the life sciences and relevant for various degenerative diseases. Although protein translation and folding are well studied subjects, cotranslational folding has been proven difficult to observe. How proteins adopt their native structure with efficient fidelity while being synthesized by the ribosome remains largely unexplored. Using optical tweezers we recently measured the mechanics of synthesis and simultaneous folding in real-time, in the absence of chaperones. We found that cotranslational folding occurs at predictable sequence locations, exerting forces on the nascent polypeptide chain. We showed that transient pauses of translation occur in particular locations along the protein sequence, facilitating native secondary structure formation. Several crucial mechanistic questions concerning the effects of chaperones on co-translational folding remain unanswered: How do the chaperones trigger factor (TF), the major bacterial heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70/DnaK) and the GroEL/ES chaperonin system affect cotranslational protein folding? Do they affect the translation rate? What effect do the chaperones have on initial hydrophobic collapse? When and how often do they (un)bind? How do these chaperones assure reliable and fast native folding during protein synthesis? Here, I propose a combined optical tweezers and laser scanning confocal microscopy study to investigate the effects of chaperones on cotranslational folding in real-time, using the host's instruments, chaperones and collaboration network, as well as my previously developed cotranslational assay and collaboration network. The group of Prof. S. J. Tans at AMOLF with its expertise and experience in single-molecule chaperone investigations is ideally suited for me to pursue this study of cotranslational chaperone activity. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsprotein foldingnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsmicroscopyconfocal microscopynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy 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-2016 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2016 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF Coordinator STICHTING NEDERLANDSE WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK INSTITUTEN Net EU contribution € 165 598,80 Address Winthontlaan 2 3526 KV Utrecht Netherlands See on map Region West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht Activity type Research Organisations 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
