Project description
Taking a closer look at how cells 'talk' to each other
Cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) play an important role in structuring the synaptic architecture through multifaceted interactions with a variety of synaptic partners and orchestrating neuronal communication. The EU-funded CellCellEM project will shed light on the mechanism governing CAMs' synaptic activities. Specifically, the project will combine single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), tomography and biochemical methodologies to dissect the molecular mechanisms of Latrophilins (LPHNs) – CAMs that mediate cell-cell communication at the synapse. The studies will aim at providing the structural basis for CAMs' function and will fully characterise the set of LPHN interactions with proteins at the central nervous system (CNS). The findings of the project will further enrich our knowledge of cell-cell communication in the CNS.
Objective
Synapses are intercellular junctions specialized for coordinated cell-cell communication throughout the nervous system. They are organized by cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bi-directionally orchestrate neuronal communication. Latrophilins (LPHNs) are a unique sub-family of CAMs that play critical roles in structuring the synaptic architecture through multifaceted interactions with a large variety of synaptic partners. Mutations in LPHN have been associated with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite their gravity, the mechanism governing LPHN synaptic activities remain elusive.
To further our understanding of LPHN-mediated cell-cell communication, we suggest to characterize these receptors interactions with their intracellular and extracellular partners. For this purpose, we propose to adopt a hybrid approach driven primarily by cryo-EM, a state-of-the-art technique capable of dissecting the molecular mechanisms of super-molecular assemblies at extremely high spatial resolutions, which is our groups main field of expertise. The cryo-EM studies will be complemented by cryo electron tomography (cryo-ET), fluorescence microscopy and biochemical approaches. Our specific aims are:
Aim 1: Dissect the molecular mechanisms of LPHN activation by combining cryo-EM with biochemical methodologies.
Aim 2: Characterize the LPHN interactome through cryo-EM and fluorescence microscopy.
Aim 3: Resolve the architecture of the LPHN interactome at a close-to-native environment through cryo-ET.
Our experimental strategy will generate a quantitative, near-atomic resolution view of LPHNs and the mechanism by which they interact with their synaptic partners and instigate trans-synaptic signal transduction. These data will be vital for understanding LPHN-mediated cell-cell communication as well as the mechanisms governing trans-synaptic interactions and could potentially highlight novel approaches to treat neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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 physical sciences optics microscopy electron microscopy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics mutation
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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)
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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.
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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-STG - Starting Grant
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) ERC-2020-STG
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7610001 Rehovot
Israel
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