Objective Our body constantly encounters pathogens or malignant transformation. Consequently, the adaptive immune system is in place to eliminate infected or cancerous cells. Specific immune reactions are triggered by selected peptide epitopes presented on major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules, which are scanned by cytotoxic T lymphocytes.Intracellular transport, loading, and editing of antigenic peptides onto MHC-I are coordinated by a highly dynamic multisubunit peptide-loading complex (PLC) in the ER membrane. This multitasking machinery orchestrates the translocation of proteasomal degradation products into the ER as well as the loading and proofreading of MHC-I molecules.Sampling of myriads of different peptide/MHC-I allomorphs requires a precisely coordinated quality control network in a single macromolecular assembly, including the transporter associated with antigen processing TAP1/2, the MHC-I heterodimer, the oxidoreductase ERp57, and the ER chaperones tapasin and calreticulin. Proofreading by MHC-I editing complexes guarantees that only very stable peptide/MHC-I complexes are released to the cell surface.This proposal aims to gain a holistic understanding of the PLC and MHC-I proofreading complexes, which are essential for cellular immunity. We strive to elucidate the mechanistic basis of the antigen translocation complex TAP as well as the MHC-I chaperone complexes within the PLC. This high-risk/high-gain project will define the inner working of the PLC, which constitutes the central machinery of immune surveillance in health and diseases. The results will provide detailed insights into the architecture and dynamics of the PLC and will ultimately pave the way for unraveling general principles of intracellular membrane-embedded multiprotein assemblies in the human body. Furthermore, we will deliver a detailed understanding of mechanisms at work in viral immune evasion. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicineimmunology Keywords Membrane Proteins Macromolecular Complexes ER Quality Control Membrane Transporters Fluorescence Labeling Chemical Biology Super-resolution Microscopy Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-ADG - ERC Advanced Grant Call for proposal ERC-2017-ADG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant Host institution JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN Net EU contribution € 2 181 250,00 Address THEODOR W ADORNO PLATZ 1 60323 Frankfurt Am Main Germany See on map Region Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt 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 Total cost € 2 181 250,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all JOHANN WOLFGANG GOETHE-UNIVERSITAET FRANKFURT AM MAIN Germany Net EU contribution € 2 181 250,00 Address THEODOR W ADORNO PLATZ 1 60323 Frankfurt Am Main See on map Region Hessen Darmstadt Frankfurt am Main, Kreisfreie Stadt 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 Total cost € 2 181 250,00