Regulation of lipid metabolism by ER-mitochondrial contact sites in macrophages (A05)

• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: since 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 204083920

We investigate changes of lipid metabolism following loosening of ER-mitochondrial contacts caused by the deficiency of protein mitofusin 2 (MFN2) in macrophages as well as their consequences for macrophage inflammatory responses. We postulate that loss of MFN2 causes altered distribution of intracellular lipids between cellular organelles, particularly phosphatidylserine and cholesterol. This results in enhanced formation of lipid raft structures, activation of Src tyrosine kinase, and increased inflammatory responses to Dectin-1 stimulation.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1039: Signalling by Fatty Acid Derivatives and Sphingolipids in Health and Disease
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Project Head: Privatdozent Dr. Dmitry Namgaladze