Objective
A multiplicity of inositol phosphates exists in biology, with functions in many diverse aspects of cell biology, such as ion channel physiology, membrane dynamics and nuclear signalling. This diversity involves a whole array of proteins that either metabolize inositol phosphates or mediate their intracellular functions.
Recently, a family of inositol phosphate kinases was identified whose members are conserved from yeast to humans. The main focus of the presented project is to study the inositol phosphate kinases, which are involved in the metabolism of the inositol pyrophosphates. Inositol pyrophosphates were recently shown to be a source of the high-energy phosphate for phosphorylation of certain proteins, similarly to ATP.
By solving the three dimensional structures of the recombinant inositol poly-phosphate kinases which make the inositol pyrophosphates, we would like to get a better insight into the metabolism of the inositol pyrophosphates and their biological roles. Besides X-ray crystallography as the main tool, other structural biology and biochemical techniques will be used to uncover still so many unknowns in this field of research.
The expected results are believed to represent a great contribution to the knowledge about the biologically very relevant molecules, inositol phosphates. Additionally, the opportunity for the applicant to professionally reintegrate in country of the nationality is also believed to be of a mutual benefit, for the scientist herself, her scientific career, and for the quality of the European research.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeologymineralogycrystallography
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteins
- natural sciencesbiological sciencescell biology
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiology
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmolecular biologystructural biology
Call for proposal
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-12
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