Genetically Encoding Photocaged Amino Acids in Yeast and Mammalian Cells for in vivo Studies of Caspase-Mediated Apoptotic Cell Death

• Applicant: Dr. Jan Grünewald
• Subject Area: Biochemistry
• Term: Funded in 2006
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25106242

Apoptosis is a controlled suicide process of mammalian cells for maintaining a living system by removal of unnecessary cells. This phenomenon is triggered by a signaling pathway, which is mainly supported by protein-cleaving caspases. Sitespecific insertion of photoswitchable building blocks into caspases could be utilized for the artificial activation of these enzymes by light. Such photofunctionalized caspases would be particularly useful for the time-defined induction of apoptosis in mammalian cells. Moreover, this system would facilitate the screening for cell permeable caspase inhibitors and might provide a tool to fight disorders where cells die prematurely due to apoptosis.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Peter G. Schultz