Characterization of the in vivo functions of Signal-peptide-peptidase-like 2 intramembrane proteases (B07)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: from 2010 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 125440785

The project analyzes intramembrane signal-peptide-peptidase-like 2 (SPPL2) proteases, which are localized in lysosomal/endosomal compartments, at the cell surface and in the ER. The invariant chain of the MHCII complex (CD74) is a novel in vivo substrate of SPPL2a. The B-cell phenotype and the susceptibility to atherosclerosis of SPPL2a deficient mice point to a role in the immune system. Dectin-1, a regulator of anti-fungal immunity is a novel substrate of SPPL2b, indicating that this protease might be a target in the treatment of autoimmunity.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 877: Proteolysis as a Regulatory Event in Pathophysiology
• Applicant Institution: Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Paul Saftig, until 6/2014; Professor Dr. Bernd Schröder