Objective
Research objectives and content
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most important quality control point in the exocytic pathway followed by newly synthesized secretory proteins. Those proteins that fail to achieve its mature conformation (due to defective folding and/or oligomerization) are selectively retained or degraded in the ER. This "ER-associated degradation" (ERAD) has been extensively studied for several proteins, and some functional general properties of the pathway have been described. However, little is known about the protein machinery involved in it.
The objective of the project is to analyze at the molecular level this degradative pathway, using as a model protein the light chain of the immunoglobulins. For this purpose our efforts will be directed towards the following studies: (1) To develop an "in vitro" model system for the light chain degradation. Microsomes from different yeast strains and from dog pancreas will be used. The first question will be if cytosol is required or not to the ERAD to occur. (2) To identify and characterize the protein machinery involved in degradation (located in the microsomes or in the cytosol). We are specially interested in the proteases catalyzing directly the degradation. In this sense, the participation of the proteasome in the ERAD will be assessed.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The main objective is to obtain a detailed knowledge at the molecular level of the novel degradative pathway of proteins m the ER. This will have special relevance in three aspects: basic research, health care and biotechnology. Concerning the first, the ERAD may be a constitutive pathway of degradation very important in the control of the level of secretory proteins in the cells, and probably, it is finely regulated to ensure this. Regarding the second, many genetic disorders involve a defect of the protein that implies its ER-associated degradation.. So, knowing this pathway may provide new tools for therapy. Finally, about the third point, the production of many secreted polypeptides of industry and medical interest should be improved by regulating the ERAD in the cell system that produces such proteins. This could only be done if this pathway is well-known at the molecular level.
Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
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.
- agricultural sciences animal and dairy science domestic animals
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
You need to log in or register to use this function
We are sorry... an unexpected error occurred during execution.
You need to be authenticated. Your session might have expired.
Thank you for your feedback. You will soon receive an email to confirm the submission. If you have selected to be notified about the reporting status, you will also be contacted when the reporting status will change.
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
Coordinator
69120 Heidelberg
Germany
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.