Molecular basis of antigen recognition by variable lymphocyte receptors (VLRs) (P27*)

• Subject Area: Immunology
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 26068018

The variable lymphocyte antigen receptor type C (VLRC) of lamprey T cells consists of repetitive arrays of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules. Our recent work provided evidence for selection of functional VLRC receptors with respect to the number of LRR modules in VLRC molecules and the sequence diversity of the N-terminal LRR1 domain. Biochemical characterization of candidate polymorphic interaction molecules of VLRC antigen receptors and the structure of the VLRC signaling complex, with particular reference to the biochemical characterization of the dynamics of these complexes, is expected to yield unprecedented insight into the alternative adaptive immune system of lampreys.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 746: Functional Specificity by Coupling and Modification of Proteins
• Applicant Institution: Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Immunbiologie und Epigenetik
• Project Head: Dr. Thomas Boehm